An Ordinary Life – The Story of Allan Whittaker

This is a short film commissioned by the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society to remember the life and death of Allan Whittaker.

Allan Whittaker was a World War I veteran. He was working on the waterfront at Princes Pier at the time of the waterfront dispute of late 1928. He was shot by police and later died of his wounds. 

His story was championed by Perce White, a former waterside worker and several times mayor of Port Melbourne. Perce White initiated a commemoration of Whittaker’s fateful shooting on 2 November 1928 which has been held each year since 2013. Following Perce’s passing, the Society, of which Perce White was founding President, has brought together material about Allan Whittaker to ensure his story is not forgotten. 

Allan Whittaker was part of a family struggling to make ends meet in the difficult post war days. The family surname was more usually spelt Whitaker by other family members which leads to confusion but Allan always used the version Whittaker with a double ‘t’. Further research has uncovered more of their story.

The Whitaker Family: Braidwood to Montague
The Whitaker Family: Montague to Port Melbourne

Extra footage – interview with Chris McConville.

Extra footage – interview with Frank Vincent