On May 11, Brian Nash passed away in Adelaide.
Brian was one of the true heroes of the Movement. He almost single-handedly held the fort for the organisation during the difficult years through the 1950s.
He was one of the Labor Party members who became active in the Industrial Groups to oppose the rise of the Communist Party in the unions.
Although the Industrial Groups were banned by the ALP in South Australia, Brian was one of those who continued the anti-Communist campaign by forming the Industrial Group Council of which he was the secretary.
Brian was subsequently among those who were expelled from the Labor Party because they could not support a candidate who they believed was a supporter of the Communist Party and had been endorsed for a Federal seat in an election.
In the late 1940s, Brian had become an organiser with the Catholic Social Studies Movement which had enjoyed some success in the unions, particularly the Ironworkers and the Shop Assistants.
However, when the ALP Split occurred in 1955, the Movement in SA decided not to support those who had left the Labor Party.
Brian subsequently left the SA branch of the Movement and joined the Anti-Communist Labor Party (which became the Democratic Labor Party). Late in the 1950s he became the new party's state secretary.
Throughout the whole of this period, Brian remained loyal to his conscience and to those who were determined to continue the fight against Communism in the trade unions.
He did this against the wishes of many in the Catholic Church in Adelaide who did not agree with this policy.
During this time Brian had the firm support of his wife and family. Despite the many difficulties they were forced to endure over the years, they raised a wonderful family of 10 children.
Our deepest sympathies are with Brian's family in their loss.
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