by Greg Martin
Lundie Gardens in Park 21W, near the Princess Elizabeth Playground and opposite the former Trades Hall, is named in honour of Frank Lundie, a trade unionist and Adelaide City Councillor, representing Grey Ward for 22 years from 1909 to 1931.
Francis ‘Frank’ Lundie died on 13 July 1933 aged 67 after a protracted illness and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery.
Frank was known as the "storm bird" of the Adelaide City Council where his fiery outspokenness often aroused hostile criticism. But even his opponents respected him as a man intensely loyal to his cause, and tireless in his efforts to help others.
As a City Councillor, Frank Lundie advocated for affordable city rents, soup kitchens and shelters for the homeless, and resisted any attempts to use the Park Lands for other than recreational purposes.
Obituaries at the time described him as “an old war horse”, and “a good friend of the oppressed and unfortunate”.
Adelaide’s The News, in reporting his death on 13 July 1933, wrote “he has fought for the worker as hard as any man in Australia”.
Frank became known as the father of the South Australian branch of the Australian Workers Union, and its secretary for 33 years.
As a mark of respect, the AWU’s office in Melbourne closed for the day of Frank’s funeral.
