Hundreds mourn community stalwart

HUNDREDS of friends, family members and workmates attended the funeral last week of Noble Park community stalwart Peter Ross.
Mourners who spoke to Star reported that several hundreds of people attended Mr Ross’ funeral at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery on Thursday 25 January.
Mr Ross, 56, died while helping to unload a shipment of steel at Appleton Dock, Port of Melbourne, on Friday night 19 January.
His family last week told Star of the heartache and shock of losing Mr Ross, who was a key community player with the Noble Park Football Club Juniors, where he was given life membership for 28 years of unconditional commitment.
The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) this week stepped up its campaign for a national code of safety for dock workers, in the wake of Mr Ross’ workplace death.
MUA national secretary said Mr Ross’ death was the third in as many years on Australian docks.
“We’ve been prepared to work with all stakeholders in the industry for a safe working code and have made constant appeals in recent years,” he said.
“We are again urgently calling on both federal and state governments to put politics and rhetoric aside, pull their finger out and address this life and death matter.
“Otherwise we’ll be doing something about it.”