The Grey Lynn RSC was chock-a-block full for Gerry Hill’s memorial service last month. It was wonderful to hear his voice in the video they made.
John Roughan gave a warm obituary to Gerry in the Herald, but pointed out how he and Gerry disagreed on politics.
It was Gerry Hill’s politics, and the humanity that went with them, that was at the heart of who Gerry was.
He was unashamedly and old-fashioned lefty, and although only 64 he could stretch back in time to his famous father, Toby Hill’s time, and recall strong union support for workers, their families and most of all, their jobs.
I saw that solidarity most strongly at the Trade Union roast for Gerry at the Trades Hall, Great North Road, some weeks before Christmas, when Gerry was quite ill with the motor neurone disease that did him in. He was feted as a hero by union speaker after union speaker, and he deserved those accolades.
I always thought Gerry was undervalued in Ponsonby, especially by council entities who he disagreed with. He could get his bit between his teeth and stick to his guns, but it didn’t get him elected to, say, the local board as it should have done. I was so pleased when that very board gave Gerry Hill a certificate for Honourable Long Service to his community.
Gerry would reminisce about the introduction of the welfare state by the first Labour Government, the evil of the 1951 Waterfront Lockout and, like me, bemoan the onset of Rogernomics which began the wicked march to greater inequality, and the diminution of union powers. We both hated the way the 1% ruled for the 1%, instead of all New Zealanders.
Gerry Hill will be missed by many. He made a real contribution to his community and to wider New Zealand. (JOHN ELLIOTT)
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