Unionists lend support after tornado hits UNE

Supercell storms passing through the Northern Tablelands region of NSW on the night of 14 October generated at least one tornado in the regional capital of Armidale, which cut a 4km long path of destruction across town and through the main campus of the University of New England (UNE).

Hundreds of houses and an untold number of vehicles and outbuildings were damaged by the tornado, and widespread hail across the city caused further damage. At least 11 houses were declared condemned. Half of the city – including the water treatment plant – was left without power until the following afternoon. Incredibly, no injuries from the storm were reported.

The news was not good for the UNE campus. The tornado crossed the northern and eastern quadrants of the campus, where university buildings adjoin a eucalypt forest. After surveying the damage, Vice-Chancellor Brigid Heywood reported entire trees from the forest having been 'picked up like matchsticks' and thrown about, many landing on the neighbouring buildings.

The damage was so extensive that the entire campus remained closed to staff and the public for a full week after the storm. Evidently several buildings may be condemned and extensive repairs will be required on many others, including the Student Union, Education and Arts buildings.

As of this writing, two weeks later, half of campus remains a 'red zone' and staff situated in these buildings are working from home, with no immediate resolution in sight. Contractors and maintenance staff are working hard to clean up campus, assess the structural damage and make repairs.

Professional staff and hospitality workers have responded quickly and adeptly to make laptops, printing, food and drink and other services available. Meanwhile, academic staff have ensured that this disruption does not extensively affect learning, teaching or research, despite the challenging circumstances.

This shocking development comes after years of struggle for the UNE and greater New England communities, amidst the ravages of drought, bushfires, the pandemic and a destabilising and poorly-executed restructure of the University that saw around 200 jobs disappear.

At every point, union members stood with their community to lend support. As we approach enterprise bargaining in 2022, it will be important to focus on the strong connections that have helped our communities get through these challenging times.

We as unionists should nurture these connections and find ways to weave them through our work; this is the only way we can hope to surmount the challenges to come, be they of the 'natural' or the 'managerial' variety. ◆

Craig Johnson, Senior Technical Officer, UNE. Vice President (Professional Staff)
 UNE Branch

Damage after a 200m wide tornado tore through the northern part of UNE's campus on 14 October 2021. (UNE)