This week we get to celebrate Jayne, from Turner School, who has been a member of the AEU ACT for over 30 years.
Jayne is currently sub-branch president and has held pretty much all sub-branch positions. She has shown considerable commitment to supporting her sub-branch and encourages and supports newer reps at the site to understand and fulfil their roles. It was great to be able to hear her principal, Allison, share some beautiful words about Jayne’s contribution to the Turner School community and the many roles she has had while being there. We are so lucky to have someone with so much experience be a part of our public education system.
Jayne also reflected on her time as a union member and shared the following:
"I have never NOT been a member of the education union, I first joined in the NT where I started teaching and in my first year was actively involved in a Women’s Conference, strike action for better pay and working conditions and held the deputy position in my sub-branch.
So, when I moved to the ACT, first thing I did was join the AEU ACT – because I know it has my back, it listens to my voice, and it works for me within the much larger organisation of the Directorate.
At, no time would I like to be negotiating my own pay, conditions or holidays with the Directorate.
I have in my years in the union, been part of Branch Executive for 8 years, held many sub-branch positions and always been a councillor because I am nosy (I like to know what is happening and why, I want to know what is being done and why and I want to know how my voice is being heard).
In my time I have taken strike action here in the ACT, even taking my own children to strike meetings and to marches in front of the Legislative Assembly, because I 150% support and believe in public education and the union is my voice. I participated in work to the letter agreement action (no ToMs, extracurricular activities, no limelight, no camp) and I have presented on behalf of teachers to legislative enquiries. With support of the union I have attended national women’s conference and national union conferences.
I do it (union work) for you, for us, for teachers and now LSAs because we matter, we are the backbone of any education but public education in particular."
Thank you Jayne, for your significant contribution to public education and the union movement.