INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND AND NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH
MEDIA RELEASE Thursday, 4 November 2010
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Sunshine Coast Grammar School Union Chapter Wins QIEU Award Maria Campanini, Tanja Moritz, Kylie Wallis and Paul Cross who make up the union Chapter Executive at Sunshine Coast Grammar School (SCGS) have been recognised for their union activism and leadership of the union Chapter this year by receiving the John (Max) MacDermott Award for 2010. The John (Max) MacDermott Award honours the most outstanding efforts of individual activists and the efforts of school Chapters who have made an outstanding contribution as unionists and union activists throughout the year. Queensland Independent Education Union (QIEU) General Secretary, Terry Burke said the Chapter Executive demonstrated the qualities that a nominee must have to receive the prestigious award. “Sunshine Coast Grammar School union members have joined together this year in the face of adversity to stand up for their rights at work,” Mr Burke said. “The school Chapter Executive under the able leadership of the staff representative, Maria Campanini, has created, over a number of years, a membership which is educated about the issues of concern and the strength of the collective in dealing with significant challenges,” he said. In August, the Head of Sunshine Coast Grammar School announced a staff restructure of education positions at the school which left 21 staff facing redundancy. Mr Burke said the Chapter Executive worked diligently to create a sense of solidarity among employees affected by the restructure. “The announcement of the restructure could have seen up to 24 employees potentially lose their jobs,” Mr Burke said. “Our union, including the Sunshine Coast Grammar School Chapter Executive, successfully campaigned for the Head of the School to withdraw the redundancy threat to confirm that those incumbents who wished to continue in the new education roles at the school could do so. “The Sunshine Coast Grammar School Chapter Executive is to be congratulated for their quality leadership and collective culture this year,” he said. Maria Campanini accepted the John (Max) MacDermott Award on behalf of her school’s Chapter Executive at the QIEU Annual General Meeting on Friday, 29 October 2010. John (Max) MacDermott was a respected teacher at Mercy College, Mackay, who provided courageous and dedicated leadership at the school Chapter level. This award honours his memory and outstanding contributions as a unionist and union activist.
…Ends For further comment contact: Terry Burke, IEUA-QNT Secretary on 0419 640 078 For further information contact: Lauren Bremner, IEUA-QNT Communications Officer on direct 3833 0614 “The Queensland Independent Education Union represents nearly 16,000 non-government education sector employees including teachers, principals, school support staff, grounds and maintenance staff, early childhood education staff and employees in business, international and English language colleges.”