QTU Reps
The Union Rep is usually the first point of contact for members with the QTU. Union Reps [ also known as workplace reps] are serving teachers elected by their colleagues to represent the Union in the workplace. They provide advice and support, organise local campaigns, arrange workplace meetings and recruit new members. There are also Lead Union Reps, who are trained to assist QTU Organisers, and Principal Union Reps, who provide a school leader perspective on education and industrial issues.
Branches and Area Councils
QTU members in every school in a given area belong to the local branch. This branch, in turn, has representation at a regional level on an Area Council, which is represented on Council and Conference and can bring issues forward for debate.
Council and Conference
State Council (meeting four times a year) and Conference (once every two years - the next being in 2021) are the supreme decision making bodies of the Union. Each branch and Area Council throughout the state is represented, as are TAFE members.
The Trustees
The four QTU Trustees are members appointed by State Council to manage the Union’s capital investments.
Jenni Holmes
Ms Holmes is an experienced senior teacher at Tully State High School. Jenni was first elected as a Trustee in 2019.
Jenni Holmes
Ms Holmes is an experienced senior teacher at Tully State High School. Jenni was first elected as a Trustee in 2019.
Don Mengel
Mr Mengel is a Head of Department at Kingaroy State High School. Don was first elected as a Trustee in 2015.
Don Mengel
Mr Mengel is a Head of Department at Kingaroy State High School. Don was first elected as a Trustee in 2015.
Anne Rathmell
Ms Rathmell is a Head of the Bunya Campus of Dalby State High School. Anne was first elected as a Trustee in 2015.
Anne Rathmell
Ms Rathmell is a Head of the Bunya Campus of Dalby State High School. Anne was first elected as a Trustee in 2015.
Beck Humphreys
(on leave)
Beck Humphreys
(on leave)
The Executive
The QTU Executive consists of the Senior Officers, along with 14 serving teachers, including an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative and a member from the TAFE Division, all elected by State Council. It manages Union affairs between State Council meetings. Its members chair and occupy positions on many Union committees and outside bodies.
Peter Darben
A senior teacher of science specialising in biology, Peter teaches at Cavendish Road SHS. His interests are in curriculum and workload issues, and he serves on the Workload Advisory Council.
Peter Darben
A senior teacher of science specialising in biology, Peter teaches at Cavendish Road SHS. His interests are in curriculum and workload issues, and he serves on the Workload Advisory Council.
Nick Shirley
Nick has been principal of small, medium to large primary schools since 2007, dedicating most of his teaching service to rural and remote schools. He is now principal of Lawnton SS.
Nick Shirley
Nick has been principal of small, medium to large primary schools since 2007, dedicating most of his teaching service to rural and remote schools. He is now principal of Lawnton SS.
Josh Cleary
Josh is a deputy principal at Noosa District SHS who has taught in both rural and metropolitan schools. Josh has acted in the QTU Organiser and Industrial Advocate roles.
Josh Cleary
Josh is a deputy principal at Noosa District SHS who has taught in both rural and metropolitan schools. Josh has acted in the QTU Organiser and Industrial Advocate roles.
Lisa Broadhurst
A primary school teacher, Lisa serves on the Women Teachers and Girls Education and the Working Conditions Committees, and chairs the Special Education Committee.
Lisa Broadhurst
A primary school teacher, Lisa serves on the Women Teachers and Girls Education and the Working Conditions Committees, and chairs the Special Education Committee.
Shane Hancock
Shane is deputy principal at Fernbrooke SS. He has taught in many contexts, and now chairs the Pride Committee and also acted as Assistant Secretary – Education Leaders.
Shane Hancock
Shane is deputy principal at Fernbrooke SS. He has taught in many contexts, and now chairs the Pride Committee and also acted as Assistant Secretary – Education Leaders.
Natalie Montague-Clarke
(on leave) Natalie is currently part-time at Manly SS. She sits on the Agenda, WTGE, and Working Conditions Committees, and chairs Professional Issues.
Natalie Montague-Clarke
(on leave) Natalie is currently part-time at Manly SS. She sits on the Agenda, WTGE, and Working Conditions Committees, and chairs Professional Issues.
Amanda Power
Amanda, the First Nations member on Executive, is a Djaara and Bangarang woman. She started teaching in Gladstone in 1997 and presently teaches a 1/2 composite class. She chairs Gandu Jarjum.
Amanda Power
Amanda, the First Nations member on Executive, is a Djaara and Bangarang woman. She started teaching in Gladstone in 1997 and presently teaches a 1/2 composite class. She chairs Gandu Jarjum.
Joel Hanlon
Joel is a head of department at Pimlico SHS in Townsville on Wulugurkaba Country. He is a Workplace Rep, Area Council and State Council Rep, and a member of the Pride Committee.
Joel Hanlon
Joel is a head of department at Pimlico SHS in Townsville on Wulugurkaba Country. He is a Workplace Rep, Area Council and State Council Rep, and a member of the Pride Committee.
Scott Tibaldi
Scott is an LVT responsible for CERT II (Career Start Schools) and CERT III Electrotechnology at TAFE Queensland Skillstech Bracken Ridge, where he has taught since 2007.
Scott Tibaldi
Scott is an LVT responsible for CERT II (Career Start Schools) and CERT III Electrotechnology at TAFE Queensland Skillstech Bracken Ridge, where he has taught since 2007.
Kate Kermode
(on leave) Kate is a special education teacher at Lee Street State Special School. She sits on the Special Education, Working Conditions and Appointments Committees.
Kate Kermode
(on leave) Kate is a special education teacher at Lee Street State Special School. She sits on the Special Education, Working Conditions and Appointments Committees.
Cassie Munro
Cassie is a career primary teacher who has worked exclusively in the public sector, with experience in city, rural and remote areas. She currently teaches year six at Ferny Hills SS.
Cassie Munro
Cassie is a career primary teacher who has worked exclusively in the public sector, with experience in city, rural and remote areas. She currently teaches year six at Ferny Hills SS.
Liam Holcombe
Liam is a head of department at Harristown SHS, Branch Secretary and Lead Union Rep. He is a member of the Appointments and Professional Issues Committees.
Liam Holcombe
Liam is a head of department at Harristown SHS, Branch Secretary and Lead Union Rep. He is a member of the Appointments and Professional Issues Committees.
Maika Bailey
Maika is an inclusion teacher at Benowa SS. She has been a Lead Union Rep, Branch President, Area Council President, Council Delegate, & WTGEC member.
Maika Bailey
Maika is an inclusion teacher at Benowa SS. She has been a Lead Union Rep, Branch President, Area Council President, Council Delegate, & WTGEC member.
Nicole Elkins
Nicole is head of department (curriculum) for South East Region Music. She serves on the Instrumental Music Reference and Working Conditions Committees and the IM Special Interest Group.
Nicole Elkins
Nicole is head of department (curriculum) for South East Region Music. She serves on the Instrumental Music Reference and Working Conditions Committees and the IM Special Interest Group.
Senior Officers
The QTU's Senior Officers all have a teaching background. The President, Vice-President and Honorary Vice-President are elected by the members. They preside at meetings of Executive, Council and Conference and are responsible for the implementation of their decisions. They also handle media and community relations. The General Secretary and two Deputy General Secretaries are elected by State Council and have primary responsibility for the day-to-day administration of the Union.
Cresta Richardson
Cresta, who became QTU President in 2021, has been a primary classroom teacher, acting deputy principal and head of curriculum. She has also served as Vice-President and a QTU Trustee.
Cresta Richardson
Cresta, who became QTU President in 2021, has been a primary classroom teacher, acting deputy principal and head of curriculum. She has also served as Vice-President and a QTU Trustee.
Leah Olsson
Leah started teaching in 1997 as a music specialist and taught in Wide Bay, Redlands, Logan and Cairns. She was elected Vice-President in 2021
Leah Olsson
Leah started teaching in 1997 as a music specialist and taught in Wide Bay, Redlands, Logan and Cairns. She was elected Vice-President in 2021
Jenny Swadling
Ms Swadling is principal of Charleville School Of Distance Education. She was elected to Executive in 2014 and was a QTU Trustee from 2009 until 2015. She took on the role of Honorary Vice-President in 2015.
Jenny Swadling
Ms Swadling is principal of Charleville School Of Distance Education. She was elected to Executive in 2014 and was a QTU Trustee from 2009 until 2015. She took on the role of Honorary Vice-President in 2015.
General Secretary, Kate Ruttiman
Ms Ruttiman was elected General Secretary in 2021. Her Union career began in 1997 when she was appointed Sunshine Coast Organiser, and she became one of the Union’s Industrial Advocates in 2001, and Deputy General Secretary in 2010. She was formerly an economics and English teacher in Middlemount, Kenmore and Lowood.
General Secretary, Kate Ruttiman
Ms Ruttiman was elected General Secretary in 2021. Her Union career began in 1997 when she was appointed Sunshine Coast Organiser, and she became one of the Union’s Industrial Advocates in 2001, and Deputy General Secretary in 2010. She was formerly an economics and English teacher in Middlemount, Kenmore and Lowood.
Brendan Crotty
Originally a manual arts teacher, Mr Crotty was elected Deputy General Secretary in 2016. He was previously a QTU Organiser for almost 15 years, first for South Queensland and then for Brisbane South. He has taught in Tambo, Charleville and Park Ridge.
Brendan Crotty
Originally a manual arts teacher, Mr Crotty was elected Deputy General Secretary in 2016. He was previously a QTU Organiser for almost 15 years, first for South Queensland and then for Brisbane South. He has taught in Tambo, Charleville and Park Ridge.
Deputy Gen. Secretary - Leah Mertens
Leah Mertens was appointed Deputy General Secretary in 2021. She was formerly QTU Assistant Secretary - Professional Issues
Deputy Gen. Secretary - Leah Mertens
Leah Mertens was appointed Deputy General Secretary in 2021. She was formerly QTU Assistant Secretary - Professional Issues
The Secretariat
These Brisbane-based officers, again all from a teaching background, provide advice on specific areas of expertise and respond to general enquiries from members. They provide advice to Senior Officers, Executive, Council and Conference, as well as representing the Union in negotiations.
Assistant Secretary - Legal Officer
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Assistant Secretary - Legal Officer
Womans Officer & Social Welfare Issues
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Womans Officer & Social Welfare Issues
Assistant Secretary - Services/Welfare
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Assistant Secretary - Services/Welfare
Assistant Secretary - Education Leaders
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Assistant Secretary - Education Leaders
Assistant Secretary - Industrial Advocate
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Assistant Secretary - Industrial Advocate
Professional Issues Officer
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Professional Issues Officer
Professional Development Officer - QuEST
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Professional Development Officer - QuEST
Kate is a special education teacher at Lee Street State Special School. A Lead Union Rep, Area Council President, and State Council Rep, she also sits on the Special Education, Working Conditions and Appointments Committees.
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Kate is a special education teacher at Lee Street State Special School. A Lead Union Rep, Area Council President, and State Council Rep, she also sits on the Special Education, Working Conditions and Appointments Committees.
Services/Welfare
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Services/Welfare
Natalie Montague-Clarke
Assistant Secretary - Services/Welfare
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Assistant Secretary - Services/Welfare
Project Officer - Review of School Resourcing
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Project Officer - Review of School Resourcing
Research Officer
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Research Officer
First Nations
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First Nations
Acting Research Officer
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Acting Research Officer
Organisers
There are 14 Regional Organisers and a Membership Growth Organiser to serve members across the state. All former teachers themselves, they attend branch meetings where possible, liaise with district offices and take up members' concerns with departmental representatives and administrators.
Ben Vercoe - Metropolitan South organiser
Ben Vercoe - Metropolitan South organiser
David Terauds - TAFE organiser (acting)
David Terauds - TAFE organiser (acting)
Kelly Creedon - Logan Redlands organiser
Kelly Creedon - Logan Redlands organiser
Zeb Sugden - South Queenslands organiser
Zeb Sugden - South Queenslands organiser
Jodie McFadden - Gold Coast organiser
Jodie McFadden - Gold Coast organiser
Scott Welch - Wide Bay organiser
Scott Welch - Wide Bay organiser
Chris Munro - North Queensland organiser
Chris Munro - North Queensland organiser
Dan Coxen - Central Queensland organiser
Dan Coxen - Central Queensland organiser
Lynn Cowie-McAlister (acting) Metropolitan West Logan Organiser
Lynn Cowie-McAlister (acting) Metropolitan West Logan Organiser
Mel de Waard - Metropolitan North organiser
Mel de Waard - Metropolitan North organiser
Chris Shevelling - Sunshine Coast organiser
Chris Shevelling - Sunshine Coast organiser
David King - Far North Queensland Organiser
David King - Far North Queensland Organiser
Caleb Rook - (acting) Metropolitan Central organiser
Caleb Rook - (acting) Metropolitan Central organiser