National Union of Railwaymen of Australia

This collection of photographic materials relating to railway matters was assembled by William John Ellis over the period 1898-1949. The complete series contains press cuttings, 159 photographs and 1 photograph album. As of November 2012 the Australian National University's digital research collection contained 30 photographs from Ellis' collection. These photos depict various aspects of railways and life in connection to railways, from types of rail cars to railway accidents and gymnastic performances by members of the Railway Institute.

Ellis entered NSW Railways Service in 1882 and retired May 1924. He was a fitter and turner at the Eveleigh workshops and for 13 years was examining fitter and fitter in charge of the Sydney accident train. His career in the Railways was disrupted by an incident in 1909 when he was dismissed from his position because he had suggested to the NSW Railway Commissioner that some senior officers be removed. Ellis maintained they were negligent in their duties to the safety of the train-travelling public. On 25/3/12 a Select Committee recommended that Ellis be reinstated and compensed for losses. The last was done but Chief Commissioner Johnson did not reinstate him. It was only when Johnson left NSW in 1915 that Ellis was re-employed in the workshops. In July 1926 he was a witness in the coronial inquiry into the Aberdeen railway accident of 10/6/1926.

The National Union of Railwaymen of Australia has undergone a number of incarnations in its history. In 1933 the Railway Service Association as a State Industrial Union was renamed and registered in New South Wales as the National Union of Railwaymen, N.S.W. Branch. The National Union of Railwaymen of Australia applied for Commonwealth registration the same year, was granted it but later in the same year registration was quashed. In 1938 the N.U.R. of A. successfully registered under Commonwealth law. It continued under this name until 1982 when it changed to the National Union of Rail Workers of Australia.