New Presidential team for QTU

The Queensland Teachers’ Union has a new Presidential team.

With only three nominations received by the closing date of the Presidential election on 28 August, Kevin Bates, Sam Pidgeon and Jenny Swadling were elected unopposed.

Kevin Bates begins a second term as QTU President. Previously serving as both an organiser and industrial advocate of the Union, Kevin has a wealth of experience in representing member views across all sectors. At a time when the union voice is under attack, he has been our public face and has effectively communicated our message to the profession and the broader community.

With current full-time Vice-President Julie Brown having served the maximum number of terms of office allowed under the Constitution and Rules of the QTU, she is to be succeeded by current Honorary Vice-President Sam Pidgeon. Sam is the HOD Junior Secondary at Runcorn State High School and was, until recently, the QTU representative on the governing body of the Queensland Studies Authority. She is AEU representative on the AITSL Teacher Quality Committee, a member of the QCT Professional Standards Committee and represents the QTU on a range of forums. She is also an elected Director of Teachers’ Union Health.

Sam’s successor as Honorary Vice-President is Jenny Swadling, the principal of the Charleville School of Distance Education. She has dedicated her working life to the education of students in rural and remote parts of the state, and is a current Trustee of the QTU. Jenny has extensive experience representing members’ views within and beyond the Union.

Kevin, Sam and Jenny will begin their three-year terms of office on 22 January 2015 – the first pupil-free day. The current presidential officers continue in their positions until 20 January 2015.

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 119 No 7, 3 October 2014, p4