Reps at October’s training day at IEU headquarters offered their views on unionism, the issues in their schools and the issues of importance for the union movement.  

There has been much discussion recently about Australian students complaining of being constantly tired, irritable and anxious due to a lack of sleep, writes Garry Warren.

In 2019, IEU member Andrea McKellar set up a unique not-for-profit charity, Teacher Presence, which redeployed money spent on the traditional end-of-year teacher present to causes which help people whose voices are struggling to be heard.

Retired members form a small but important cohort of the IEU. These union diehards maintain their paid-up membership despite leaving employment in education.

Retiring IEU stalwart Michael Chalkley worked at three schools over four decades, and Bendigo education is all the richer for it.

Emma and Kristi’s work is so impressive that union staff used their motions as models at Rep and Consultative Committee training.

Tony Capurso is the sort of Rep that helps forms the backbone of a union – constant, reliable, helpful, and knowledgeable.

Congratulations to Andy Basterfield, IEU Rep Rep from MacKillop Family Services Geelong, who has been presented with the Geelong Women’s Union Network Woman Unionist of the Year Award at the recent Geelong Trades Hall dinner.