Julie Brown has contributed to the QTU in so many valued and diverse ways since joining in 1983.

That's 31 years of QTU activism, starting when she became a Union Rep in 1985 and culminating in her election as Honorary Vice-President between 1994 and 1997 and, most recently as Vice-President from January 2006. What an achievement!

This activism has also manifested in many representative roles e.g. Julie’s significant Queensland Council of Unions representation and contributions, and her ongoing support of women’s issues, tangibly through the QCU Women’s Committee and as the QTU Women Teachers and Girls Education Committee Chairperson.

Julie deserves the accolades for her constant unrelenting commitment to the Queensland Teachers’ Union for each and every one of those 31 years. However, as members at Helensvale SS, Coombabah SS or any of the schools at which Julie has taught or been involved (even in a regular classroom support role as VP) would say… it isn’t about Julie Brown, Vice-President of the QTU.

It always was and continues to be about Julie Brown the person. A unionist to the very core thanks to familial influences growing up, Julie is a compassionate and caring person who has also shown incredible fortitude under considerable adversity and pressure at times, and is a loyal and dedicated QTU activist.

Gold Coast QTU members know and love Julie well. There is nothing she would not do for any member at any time, if it is within her capacity to do so. A strong advocate for the QTU on the Gold Coast, from her first branch position, until, I am sure, her last day at the QTU, Julie Brown has made a difference.

We have recruitment campaigns now, but in Julie’s days as a school-based Rep, she was the recruitment campaign. I know that Julie always had QTU membership application forms at her fingertips when required and, even in the early days, a postage stamp and envelope where necessary to facilitate the growth of QTU membership on the Gold Coast.

As an early years educator in her teaching career, Julie displayed a passion for the best possible outcomes for students she taught and has continued her dedication to these students, with her ongoing attendance at various early years DETE consultative forums and, of course, at numerous Early Childhood Teachers’ Association conferences, as a QTU member and recruiter.

Julie’s ongoing support for QTU Organisers, Officers and staff has been tangible and valued over many years, and her first concern has never been personal glory, it has always been what can I do for you and the members statewide?

Julie will be missed, yet fondly and respectfully remembered by many as a real person who just so happened to be a loyal, dedicated and caring Vice-President of the QTU.

Congratulations on your retirement Julie and good luck!

Roselynne Anderson
Coomera Branch

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 119 No 8, 14 November 2014, p16