2023 Anna Stewart Memorial Project
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128, 25 August 2023, page no.25
The Anna Stewart Memorial Project (ASMP) is a work experience program run by the Queensland Council of Unions that aims to increase the involvement of women in the union movement through training and hands-on work experience in a union.
At its heart, the project aims to facilitate the greater involvement of women in the union movement by giving them the skills and confidence to stand for office or seek a job within unions, as well as an opportunity to experience and better understand union structures.
This year, the QTU hosted two QTU activists, Paige Pope from Morayfield State High School, and Jo Shepherd from Caravonica State School. Paige and Jo spent the first part of the week with the QTU, learning about how our Union operates, including the Queensland Teachers’ Assist Desk, record-keeping, and the democratic structures. They also experienced recruitment at a large high school and an occupational violence workshop at a primary school, thanks to QTU Organiser Kelly Creedon. The second part of the week included the QCU Women’s Conference and then two days with their host unions. It was a packed schedule designed to help all participants understand more about how unions work across many industries.
Both Paige and Jo thanked the QTU and QCU Women’s Officers for their guidance and support, but most of all they thanked one another and their fellow Annas for the companionship and encouragement throughout the week.
Nominations for the 2024 Anna Stewart Memorial Project will be advertised in the Journal later this year.
The project is named in honour of Anna Stewart, a Victoria-based union official who in the 1970s led many of the first campaigns for maternity and childcare facilities for workers in traditionally male industries, such as in car plants. Known for her fierce intellect and wit, she argued equal pay cases in industrial tribunals and raised awareness of sexual harassment as a workplace issue. Anna worked with unions from 1974 until her untimely death in 1983 at the age of 35.
After the project wrapped up, Paige and Jo reflected on their experiences.
Paige: “The ASMP project allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn the ins and outs of unions. Meeting like-minded women from other unions was a very rewarding experience. The information gained was sometimes overwhelming, but it made me realise that women can be strong within the union movement and that we can fight the good fight. While work-shadowing with the QTU and the Queensland Nurses and Midwives’ Union (QNMU), I got to see the ins and outs of recruiting close-up at Marsden SHS and the QE2 hospital. I certainly felt like I experienced a day-in-the-life of being an Organiser in both unions.”
Jo: “The project exceeded all of my expectations. Spending two days with Selena at the National Tertiary Education Union was incredible, while over at the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Employees it was fascinating to experience how different unions deal with member issues at various levels. Thinking back to meeting my fellow ‘Annas’ on day one, I recall it was exciting and nerve-wracking, but come Friday afternoon, when we reconnected back at the QCU, the room was a buzz of stories, feminism, and laughter. These bonds will last a lifetime.”