Local Gonski coordinators appointed

As part of the national AEU campaign to secure support for full Gonski funding and needs-based distribution in the lead-up to the federal election, local coordinator roles in identified federal electorates have been established.

The local coordinator’s role is primarily to build the campaign at a community level, which will be critical to the overall success of the campaign. They will be based in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.

At the May State Council, the following AEU target seat coordinators were announced.

Daniel Bevis – Brisbane electorate Email: dbevis@tsc.aeufederal.org.au

Daniel was, until recently, working as the acting North Brisbane Organiser for the QTU. Prior to this role, he worked in the seats of Ashgrove, Mt Coot-tha and Brisbane Central as the QCU’s Campaign Coordinator, a role that played an integral part in the QCU’s state election campaign. Daniel’s previous experience in engaging members, principals, parents and the wider community in campaigns, his knowledge of Gonski funding arrangements and how they apply to schools, together with his knowledge of the electorate, make him a valuable member and advocate for the team.

Ben Vercoe – Bonner electorate Email: bvercoe@tsc.aeufederal.org.au

Ben is a secondary school teacher who is actively involved with the Union, holding a variety of positions since he began teaching in 2005, including: State Council Rep, Area Council Delegate, Branch President and Union Rep. Ben has gained an understanding of the diversity of teaching experiences in the state, having taught in a regional coastal school, a rural/remote school, and now in the metropolitan area. He is a strong advocate for state education and is eager to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing nationwide campaign for a fair, needs-based, and sector-blind school funding system in the form of Gonski.

Natalie Meyer – Forde electorate Email: nmeyer@tsc.aeufederal.org.au

Natalie has spent the first six years of her teaching career working at a low-SES school in the Logan area and is keenly aware of the complexities of students’ needs and the difference that resourcing can make to a school community. Natalie has been a strong supporter of the Gonski campaign, including organising school-based events, interactions with MPs, liaising with P&Cs and attending media and campaign events. Natalie’s passion and dedication will ensure she is a valuable member of the team.

Paula Nunan – Longman electorate Email: pnunan@tsc.aeufederal.org.au

“For as long as I have breath in my lungs, I will speak up for the Gonski Review recommendations to be implemented in full to ensure that the students of Australia are delivered resources on a fair and equitable basis.” Paula, who has been a teacher since 1989, has held many QTU positions and has been a grassroots Gonski campaign activist since the release of the report and its recommendations in late 2011. As part of the AEU team, Paula will relish the opportunity to work at securing a bipartisan political commitment to implement the full six years of Gonski funding to Australian school students.

Brendan Jenkin – Dawson electorate Email: bjenkin@tsc.aeufederal.org.au

As a teacher and QTU Mackay Branch President, Brendan is well aware of the benefits and the importance of needs based educational funding. He was an active participant in a wide-variety of community Gonski campaigns, distributing Gonski materials and information to the public as well as attending Gonski forums. Brendan’s strong interpersonal skills make for another valuable member of the coordinator team.

We welcome our state local coordinators, who will commence work (based at the QTU Milton office) on 13 July, until the next federal election. We look forward to working with them, and members, parents and the wider community, to ensure a commitment to the full six years of Gonski funding.

Barry Welch
Deputy General Secretary

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 120 No 5, 17 July 2015, p10