2026 Labour Day Awards

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 131 No 3, 22 May 2026, page no.4

The QTU was honoured with several awards at the Queensland Council of Unions (QCU) Labour Day Dinner on 24 April, reflecting the strength, commitment, and impact of our Union.

The QTU won the following categories:

• Best campaign — Community Campaign: EB11 Value Us! 
• Most Active and Effective Workplace. Committee:  Pacific Pines SHS HSR Team.
   

We are also proud to celebrate QTU Officer Kevina O’Neill, recipient of the QCU Kath Nelson Award (pictured centre-right). This award honours a woman in the union movement who embodies union values and social justice. Kevina’s commitment to fairness, equity, and collective action is well known to colleagues and to the many members she has supported across the state.

Nominations for other awards
The QTU submitted nominations across several categories this year (see below). While we didn’t win, we remain incredibly proud of the work we’ve done and the meaningful action we’ve taken.

Our efforts continue to make a real difference, and that’s worth celebrating.

• Best Union Publication – Unions Over 7,500: Queensland Teachers’ Union Journal, Vol. 130 No. 6
• Best Union Publication – Unions Over 7,500: Union Rep Handbook – TAFE 
• Best Recruitment Campaign: EB11
• Best Workplace/Industry Campaign:  Special Schools Campaign
• Regional Activism Award: Wilsonton SS Fencing Campaign 
• HSR of the Year: Tim Mitchell.
   

Every one of these awards and nominations is testament to the strength, determination and collective effort of QTU members, officers, and staff, and the depth of talent and commitment our Union has to draw on.  

Paige Bousen
Acting Deputy General Secretary (Member Organising)