in June 1968 and hammered out a historic document formulating the union's attitude to technological change on the basis of social progress that was subsequently unanimously adopted at meetings of seamen around Australia. Over the next 20 years, a substantial amount of this policy of fundamental improvement of working conditions was achieved. Elliott said in 1968 that seamen had "to take advantage of technological developments" and that "the future belongs to us if we learn how to grasp and hold it". He explained, "We believe men are more important than machines and new ships." The Seamens' Union of Australia, which amalgamated with the Waterside Workers Federation in 1993 to form the Maritime Union of Australia, was also renowned in the Australian labour movement for its involvement nationally and internationally in political issues like the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and in protests against the Vietnam War, motivated by the necessity of social progress in work and society on a national and international scale. Some of the ashes of Elliott were scattered on the sea south east of Sydney Heads at a mariner's funeral service held on the morning of 12 April 1985. References Details of E. V. Elliott's life and career can be found in the book by Brian Fitzpatrick and Rowan Cahill, The Seamen's Union of Australia 1872-1972: A History, Seamen's Union of Australia, Sydney, 1981. Sea Change - An essay in maritime labour history by Rowan Cahill For details of the life and career of Elliott's long-time partner, Della Elliott, see Rowan Cahill, "Dedicated to the Workers' Struggle", Sydney Morning Herald, 4 November 2011. 1902 births 1984 deaths Australian sailors Australian trade unionists Australian communists People from Sydney People from Huntly, New Zealand New Zealand trade unionists New Zealand emigrants to Australia Communist Party of Australia members