'Old Union is the life's journey of Sam and Emily Wright who become of age in the Great Depression. Sam as a boy walks 550 miles from outback New South Wales with a single obsession, to go to sea. The 1935 seamen's strike pits seaman against seaman, strikebreaker against militant, the strong against the weak, a futile struggle that will gut a union of seamen. Sam matures in the turbulent years of war and the political upheavals dividing Australia. A coming of age in an era of persecution against political beliefs, union demonizing, and a working class demanding a fair share of a new and modern world. To save a life Sam walks away from the sea, but never loses what beats in his heart, the equality of man and his right to a voice.' (Publication summary)
