Illawarra union legend Fred Moore has had to face down many a noisy crowd in his time, but the cheers that greeted him at his surprise 90th birthday party stopped him in his tracks.
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The crowd at the Ribbonwood Centre at Dapto on Saturday afternoon was estimated at well over 300, and Mr Moore, who was tricked into entering the building, didn't suspect a thing.
"Talk about a surprise," he said.
"I'm usually on the ball but they were all sworn to secrecy and no-one dropped a thing, not even my little great-grandchildren.
"I've been in a lot of fierce industrial battles and political battles in my life but ... I just stood there, and the tears came into my eyes.
"They were yelling out 'Fred!' and putting their arms up in the workers' salute."
The trick was pulled off by a committee of union women led by Mr Moore's daughter Sue, who organised the party.
Mr Moore's birthday is actually tomorrow, and he plans a much more subdued affair.
"A quiet day. I'll have a nice cup of tea," he said.
