Jean Bailey
Jean Bailey died in April in Newcastle at the age of 86. Like most intelligent and compassionate people of her generation, Jean was horrified by the impact of the 1930s Depression. Her resolve that this must never be allowed to recur, and her lifelong belief in the equality of women, led her in 1942 to join the Communist Party of Australia.
This was a big step for someone who had grown up in a poor but conservative religious family. But having made the commitment based on her "belief in the power of logic" (Jean's words), she continued the struggle for a better world to the day she died.
She was involved in countless campaigns. Her opposition to war was reactivated during the Cold War at a time when the peace movement was shunned by "respectable" people. With her husband, Les, and their children she spent many weekends in the early 1950s collecting signatures for the Stockholm Peace Appeal.
In 1951 she became a foundation member of the Newcastle branch of the Union of Australian Women and served on its executive for many years.
As a teacher, Jean was active in the NSW Teachers Federation. She helped make the issue of equal pay a priority at a time when most people assumed that men should be paid more than women in the same job. In recognition of her work, Jean was made a life member of the Newcastle Teachers Association.
Another cause dear to Jean's heart was the struggle for a "fair go" for Kooris. She helped form the Newcastle Trades Hall Aboriginal Advancement Committee, which sought to raise white consciousness about the appalling conditions for local Kooris.
With the advent of the Vietnam War, Jean was out raising funds, collecting signatures, going on deputations, writing letters, going on demonstrations, arranging meetings. In 1993 her peace work was acknowledged by the Peggy Hill Peace Award.
In the 1950s Jean did unpaid work as a Tribune reporter and seller. Her skill as a writer came to the fore again when, at the age of 68, she joined an expedition to Antarctica. Out of this experience came her award-winning book Antarctica: a traveller's tale. She also visited China, made copious notes, and in recent years wrote a book based on her observations.
Jean still found time for her husband, children and, later, grandchildren. To her family, friends and comrades, her memory will continue to be a source of inspiration and encouragement in the struggle for a more humane world. — Ross Edmonds