The QTU truly is everywhere!
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 127 5, 8 July 2022, page no.18
Our QTU Officers and Senior Officers are always out and about, talking and listening to QTU members in all corners of Queensland, part of our ongoing commitment to being the most democratic and representative voice of the teaching profession in Queensland.
Established in January 1889, the QTU represents 48,000 teachers and school leaders in state schools and TAFE in Queensland. We are also the second largest union in Queensland, with a growing membership.
From coast to desert, our 14 QTU Organisers cover the entire state. All our QTU Officers have a teaching background, provide advice on specific areas of expertise, and respond to general inquiries from members. They can also provide a range of training and professional development opportunities.
The QTU’s Senior Officers also all have a teaching background and regularly visit schools with local Organisers (you can find out about some of their recent visits below). The President, Vice-President and Honorary Vice-President are all 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.
The QTU truly is everywhere. Recently, Penny Allman-Payne, a longstanding and committed QTU member and grass roots activist across the Gonski, Fair Funding Now! and the current Every School, Every Child campaign, was elected to the Federal Senate for the Greens party.
We look forward to working with Penny in the future and wish her the best of luck as she commences her term as a newly elected Senator for Queensland.
Toowoomba
QTU President Cresta Richardson spent time in Toowoomba with South Queensland Organiser Zeb Sugden.
During her visit she spoke with members in schools, at local branch meetings and at QTU training sessions.
Mt Isa
This term, Deputy General Secretary Leah Mertens and North Queensland Organiser Chris Munro returned to Mt Isa, where they both began their teaching careers. Leah taught French and English at Mt Isa SHS and Chris taught Year 7 at Sunset SS.
On this visit, they were also joined by Union lawyer Rachel Drew, Partner at Holding Redlich, and visited Mt Isa Central SS and Mt Isa Special School, meeting with QTU members and Reps.
Far North Queensland
Deputy General Secretary Brendan Crotty and Far North Queensland Organiser Sammy Blocksidge joined QTU Reps in Cairns recently for Level 2 Union Rep training. QTU members came from across the Cape, Gulf and Torres Strait as well as the Cassowary Coast to participate. Brendan and Sammy then travelled on to Northern Peninsula State College on Cape York and Tagai State College on Thursday Island.