Obituaries Australia

Declan Affley, musician, former seaman, and dedicated socialist, died on June 28 at his home in Glebe. Declan, an unforgettable man, was born in South Wales, the birthplace of many passionate socialists. He proved no exception.

His strong Irish brogue came from his Irish family who had moved to Wales but made regular trips back to Ireland. Declan went to sea at sixteen where he first learned his unionism. He remained a committed unionist for the rest of his life.

He studied music at the London School of Music but the origin of his immense musical talent was his father who played Irish music on a variety of instruments. Twentyfive years ago Declan graced Australia with his talent and personality and he became a legendary figure on the folk, political scene. He played fiddle, pipes and a variety of instruments including the famous Irish drum barong (I hope I have the spelling right. Seamus will slaughter me if I haven't.)

Declan had parts in The Last Wave, in which he sang as well as acted, in Luke's Kingdom, where he played the pipes, and in Richard Lowenstein's masterpiece Strikebound where he acted as a Welsh miner.

Dec had two records, one of which was When the Pub Burnt Down. (He roared with laughter at that one) and he was in a documentary about Australia's history which won a prize at the Dublin Theatre Festival. He was in numerous radio programs, had a job as a "wandering minstrel" for a time at Old Sydney Town, and formed two bands, the "Wild Colonial Boys" and his recently formed "Lazy Harry's Bush Band".

Until his death he was a part-time teacher of the fiddle and pipes at the Koorie school, "Eora" Centre at Redfern, of which he was enormously proud. Through all of this, Declan was frequently busking around the city. He once said that music should be free and for all the people.

Declan Affley was a dedicated socialist although not in any political party. He was a passionate man who would argue his politics at any time of the day or night, but had the rare gift of neither causing nor holding resentment despite strong disagreement on a given subject.

He was passionate and forceful about the issues in Ireland. I remember his emotions and his pride on the night that Bobby Sands died. In demos, Declan was a familiar sight with his children — Bridie in the pram and young Patrick on his shoulders. To be with him was an exhilarating experience.

Coming back with him on the train after the launching of Zubrycki's masterpiece Kemira the time passed in seconds with Declan's yarns and fiddle. On a wet and wintry night, Declan, Seamus Gill and I demolished a ferocious Spanish brew while arguing and solving the world's ills. The solutions escaped us the following morning.

Hundreds attended the funeral gathering where Mark Gregory paid tribute to Declan's life. His folk musician friend Ian White sang And The Banks are Made of Marble, Declan's favorite. (I hope that is on record.) One of his students from the Koorie school, Mack, paid tribute with a blues ballad to Declan, sung in a spectacular voice which stunned the gathering. His lifelong friend, Seamus Gill, sang the Irish mourning ballad The Parting Glass.

In true Gaelic spirit, the wake held afterwards at the Gaelic club celebrated Declan Affley's life. There were songs, poetry, dancing, and not a little tears. There were many "parting glasses" as the memories and the stories flowed. Ol' Declan would have approved.

May I, on behalf of the Communist Party, offer to Colleen, young Bridie and Patrick our deepest sympathy. We were all made better people for knowing him.