Change is inevitable, thanks to you!
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 7, 3 October 2025, page no 7.
Since the largest single union strike in Queensland’s history, you, the 50,000 members of the Queensland Teachers’ Union, have not sat idle.
You have participated in Maroon Mondays, high visibility events and rallies. So many rallies involving so many members in so many parts of this vast and varied state. Rallies in large communities, small communities, progressive communities, conservative communities, communities where we always do things, and those where there is not always a lot of open activism.
You have turned out in great numbers all over this state. Driven hours to attend a rally, and then home again.
Some of the rallies have had singing, dance moves, sausage sizzles; others provided an opportunity to gather and chat in community — together.
One thing I have found so liberating about the rallies is the willingness of our members to share their personal stories and experiences, even though their voices may shake.
The personal power of some of the speeches and quotes was clear.
At one rally, Michelle said: “We are not asking for the unreasonable. We are demanding basic fairness and respect. Respect for the work we do, the hours we give, the care we provide and the futures we shape. The futures of our schools, our students, and our profession are worth fighting for. We are QTU. We are proud, and we are fighting for what is RIGHT.”
Then there was Bel, speaking at another rally: “When violence becomes normalised, it doesn’t just affect one teacher or one student, it changes the whole tone of the school. It breaks trust, it creates fear, and it pushes great educators out of the system.”
Elsewhere, Sharyn said: "We are not machines. We are nurturers, thinkers, mentors. And today we say, loud and clear, enough is enough! Together we reclaim the joy of teaching."
And Michael told his rally: "The safety of Queensland educators is not optional and is not negotiable — it is a human right."
Our members statewide were actively involved in the development of this current log of claims.
With the initial negotiations concluded, we exercised our democratic right to withhold our labour through a strike. Now, negotiations continue through conciliation.
You, our members, continue to flex your connection and strength through other modes of visibility. Soon, members will consider our next steps.
Through it all, coming together and being heard supports community and belonging.
The issues members are reflecting on and speaking about are not new. The department and successive governments have been aware of them for some time. It is short-sighted to ignore and not respect 50,000 educators who are absolutely intrinsic to the public good and future of this state.
Public education remains something to support, be part of, and strive for. To propagate a narrative that suggests everything is coming up roses is misguided and dangerous, as it ignores the truth.
We are a system under pressure. This has to be acknowledged and solutions provided and funded.
The truth of the matter is change is now inevitable, and when it comes, the thanks will lie squarely with the QTU membership who have lobbied tirelessly for reform the right way.
I see the mix of determination and positive energy at the rolling rallies we have been hosting across the state.
It would be naive to think the membership would not be affected by the current EB campaign and the historic steps we’ve had to take to get this far.
But on the ground and at the grass roots I see what everyone else is seeing, a positive, engaged group of professional educators committed to sticking together and securing the change we are all working towards — the change state schools are depending on.
This change will take time, but it starts with EB11. It will be boosted by the expected federal funding increases, but the reality is the movement we have created might need to fight all the way to the next state election.
And we will. You deserve it, students deserve it, and the community deserves it. And because QTU members have raised their voices articulately and factually, everyone else, including our lawmakers, knows it.
Ignoring the serious issues just doesn’t fly anymore.