Cairns and Tropical Gardening with Rob Pyne

Book

Struggle & Resistance in the Far North, by Rob Pyne Cairns, Queensland, Australia

Rob Pyne’s Struggle and Resistance in the Far North, is a glimpse into Far North Queensland politics, history and culture. It is an account of the region’s hidden stories and prominent identities. In addition, it links the personal with the political in a unique way.

This is a story of oppression and fightback, taking the side of the underdog in the fight against authority. Indeed through struggle and resistance the wrongs of history are addressed.

This account begins with early European arrivals and their struggle surviving in a strange and alien land. However, as new arrivals began to prosper, life became increasingly oppressive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They were attacked, disenfranchised and denied full citizenship. As a result, Australia’s first people determined to resist authority and fight for change, as would future oppressed minorities.

The battle against violence and discrimination would be encountered by Pacific Islanders taken from their homes and used as slave-labour by the sugar industry.

Italian cane cutters, the unemployed and poor people formed unions and associations to combat injustice. As a result of this struggle socialist heroes emerged to champion the fight for rights and a better life.

The Ongoing Struggle and Resistance

More recently environmentalists and the LGBTIQ community have come forward in the battle for the natural world and the human rights of same sex and gender diverse communities.

Struggle and Resistance in the Far North: Pic of Rob Pyne with fist in the air.
Struggle and Resistance in the Far North by Rob Pyne

The struggle for respect, equality and human dignity may never be completely won. As a result, the fights with Conservatives for the soul of humanity will continue. So it has become clear what characterises our fight for a better world, ‘Struggle and Resistance’.

Struggle and Resistance in the Far North: About the Author

A socialist politician and activist, Rob Pyne was born in Gordonvale and raised in Edmonton in South Cairns.

Rob Pyne Cairns politician, was born in 1967. He worked in various jobs, until breaking his neck in 1991, becoming a quadriplegic. Consequently, he received lengthy care in Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Rob married his fiancé Jenny while still in hospital. Following this, the pair returned to Cairns where they have lived in the suburbs of Bentley Park and Mount Sheridan.

Subsequently, After returning home, Rob completed a BA in History and Politics and a Law Degree. After that he worked at JCU from 2000 to 2007.

Rob campaigned successfully for election to Cairns Regional Council in 2008. Consequently he completed two terms and then won election to the Queensland Parliament as the Member Cairns in 2015. As a result of his subsequent electoral defeat, Rob returned to Council, winning Division 2 in March 2020.

The stage was then set of the final chapter of the Rob Pyne Cairns Champion of the Underdog story. Not all stories have a happy ending, but Rob is happy. “I would not change anything, except maybe diving head first off of a boat on the 1st of December 1991” he laughed. Rob remains happily married to Jenny and they have one child, Kate.

Struggle & Resistance in the Far North