QTU welcomes first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Officer and new Peninsula and North West Organiser
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 125 No 7, 2 October 2020, page no.8
Rachel Bos was appointed to the new role of QTU Administrative Officer/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander at the August meeting of QTU State Council.
Rachel comes to the role with significant experience in Union activism, having taught in and around the Gladstone area and in Ipswich at Bremer State High School. Rachel has worked for the Union on several other occasions on specific projects and in recruitment roles, including co-chairing the steering committee for the QTU’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Rachel commences in the role at the beginning of Term 4. It is great to have her take on what will be an important and exciting new role.
Also at Council, Sammy Blocksidge was appointed to the Far North Queensland Organiser vacancy created by Maureen Duffy’s retirement at the beginning of next year. Sammy has spent all her teaching career in the Peninsula region, mostly at Western Cape College in Weipa.
Union Officer movements - Term 4
We farewell Gill Armit, who has been working with members in Metropolitan Central as the QTU Organiser while Natalie Meyer is on maternity leave. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gill for all her hard work in assisting members in the region and wish her well in her future endeavours. Gill will not be a stranger to the Union, returning as a member of QTU Executive in Term 4 and again taking on a variety of honorary positions.
Lee Merrett, the deputy principal of Coolum State High School, will be taking over as acting Metropolitan Central Organiser for Term 4. Lee is a Principal Union Rep and holds positions on State Council, Conference and Education Leaders Committee.
Cassie Munro is taking on the Acting Metropolitan West Logan Organiser role while Elissa Ferguson is acting in Kevina O’Neill’s role as Assistant Secretary - Services. Cassie is currently an EST at Ferny Hills State School and has significant experience in union activism, including as a current member of QTU Executive.
Shane Hancock will be acting Education Leaders Officer during Term 4 while Paige Bousen is working offline on an Education Leaders project. Shane is the deputy principal of Leichhardt State School, holding many honorary positions for the Union, including as a current member of QTU Executive.
As a Union we are extremely lucky to have such a broad range of experienced, skilled and passionate members and activists who can come into the Union and provide such a high level of support to members.
If you are interested in an acting position, complete the “Acting Administrative Officer Expression of Interest form” available on the website at https://www.qtu.asn.au/nomination-forms and advertised in the Queensland Teachers’ Journal.