The British origins and the transformation of work culture in Australian industry
Access Status
Open access
Authors
Oliver, Bobbie
Date
2004Type
Book Chapter
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Oliver, B. 2004. The British origins and the transformation of work culture in Australian industry. ed. Darian-Smith, K. and Grimshaw, P. and Lindsey, K. and Mcintyre, S. Exploring the British World: Identity, Cultural Production, Institutions, pp. 1032-1046. Melbourne: RMIT Publishing.
Source Title
Exploring the British World: Identity, Cultural Production, Institutions
Faculty
Division of Humanities
Department of Social Sciences
Faculty of Media, Society and Culture (MSC)
Collection
Abstract
The paper discusses the historical notion that the structure of skilled industrial trades in Australia is an example of 'British' diaspora, and then examines the impact and significance of local differences, especially as demonstrated in one site the Government Railway Workshops at Midland, Western Australia. The paper contends that extensive technological changes, such as occurred at Midland from the 1950s 70s, were accompanied by social changes in the workplace. It investigates the notion that the culture of the dominant skilled tradesmen underwent a radical shift during the period of investigation, with specific impacts upon themselves and the overall culture of the Workshops.