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ANNA STEWART PROGRAM Who was Anna Stewart?Anna Stewart was an active Victorian union official and long-time campaigner for Women's Rights. When Anna entered the Industrial arena, women made up one third of the paid work force, usually in unskilled or semi-skilled positions. They were poorly paid, lacked job security and satisfaction and rarely had access to promotional opportunities. She worked tirelessly to devise ways of involving women directly in deciding on the principles and priorities, to put to unions and government, which would help them achieve real equality of status and opportunity. In less than a decade, working in the Union Movement, Anna developed a radical re-evaluation of the Rights of Female Labour. This led to a fundamental re-appraisal of the women's issues throughout the Labour Movement. She worked as both a research and industrial officer for a number of unions from 1974 to 1983, when she died tragically at the age of 35. She campaigned during the 1970's to ensure that both the union movement and employers began to recognise the needs of working women. She focussed on areas such as maternity leave, child care facilities and headed up a campaign to draw attention to sexual harassment as a form of exploitation of women. The Anna Stewart ProgramThe NSW Teachers Federation Anna Stewart Program aims to support and encourage women's participation in all aspects of the Federation's structures. This affirmative action strategy has assisted in the development of a range of women Federation members. The program helps women at all levels, whether they are local activists, hold positions within their Association, are members of our Council or hope to take on a leadership role within our union. It is important to note that the Anna Stewart Program is fully supported by the Department of Education and Training. Anna Stewart CommitteeThe Federation Anna Stewart Committee selects the program participants. This committee consists of six female members of Federation who are each elected by Council.
What do Anna Stewart Officers do?As an Anna Stewart Officer you will be given the opportunity to work with a range of Federation officers to develop an understanding of the processes and practices at work both within Federation and in our dealings with the Department of Education and Training. You will have the opportunity to:
Who is Eligible?All financial women members of the Federation. How can you Nominate for term two 2010?Application forms are available on the web or by contacting the Women's Coordinator. The application forms require you to indicate the Federation experience you have had eg. positions held, attending Federation meetings, conferences etc, trade union training and/or activities in campaigns. The two week position also requires a short statement outlining what you hope to achieve by being involved in the program. Application forms must include a signed supporting statement from either the Secretary or President of your local association or your Federation organiser. Anna Stewart Program Application Form 2010Will you be paid?Yes. If you are permanent, permanent part time or working in a temporary position eg. one term, then the Department of School Education or TAFE Institute will continue to pay you and Federation will pay the cost of casual relief. If you are working as a day to day casual teacher then Federation will pay for any work that you were booked to do but were unable to take up due to your participation in this program. AccommodationDo not let your location in relation to Sydney hinder your decision to nominate for the Anna Stewart Program. Country members are encouraged to nominate and if selected will be provided with accommodation within easy commuting to Federation House. What has become of past Anna Stewart Officers?This year marks the 25th Anniversary, during that time there have been 162 women come into the Federation and participate in the program. The Anna Stewart Program has produced:
But most importantly it has produced dozens of well-known Federation activists and many more local activists. Comments by previous Anna Stewart OfficersRuanne KellyI have been teaching at St Johns Park Public School for over ten years. I am currently on Part-Time Leave without Pay to enable me to look after my two young boys. I work three days a week doing Release from Face to Face (RFF). Although I held the role of Federation Representative in 2000, I didn't really become active until I again became Fed Rep in 2006. At first I found the association meetings a little daunting and wasn't really sure of what my job entailed. Once I attended my first training course though, I realised that it wasn't just about campaigning for salaries. After attending Annual Conference as an observer the same year, I realised how much I could become involved and have my say in what the union was doing. Since then I have been a Delegate for the Fairfield Association and this year I even got brave enough to seek an amendment! At a school level, I have found that I get a real enjoyment in helping to solve people's problems, providing advice and standing up for staff rights. It gives me a sense of satisfaction when campaigns are successful and staff are happier with their working conditions. I chose to apply for the Anna Stewart Program despite having to do two whole weeks worth of work because I want to have even more involvement. As a part-time working mother and someone who has had Federation defend me on a number of occasions, I feel I have a lot to contribute to the decision making and feel I offer a valuable perspective to policy development. I would definitely recommend the Anna Stewart Program to anyone considering it. They have been very supportive and flexible of my childcare needs so that I have been able to access every opportunity presented to me in my role as an Anna Stewart Officer. Susan ArmsteadI have been teaching for 25 years in country NSW in central and small and large primary schools. In that time I have held various association positions and participated in many campaigns. Over the years I have been mentored by many activists who have constantly encouraged me to be part of the union movement. With the support of my Organiser and colleagues I applied for a two week Anna Stewart Temporary Officer position. Since being in the program I have realised even more how important it is for grass roots activism to be supported in schools. The value of Federation members who are informed about their industrial and welfare conditions is essential for the continued growth of our union. Working with the other Anna Stewart Officers has also shown how teacher's educational concerns are shared right across the state. In observing Executive meetings, IRC hearings and attend meetings between the Federation and DET my knowledge of the work of our union has broadened. To see the daily concerns of classroom teachers' front and centre in the meetings and discussions really shows how our union serves its members. Participating in the Anna Stewart Program has strengthened the skills and knowledge needed in my role as a union activist. I feel confident in my return to school to be a good voice for the Federation and continue supporting my colleagues in public education. Melina RagusaMy name is Melina Ragusa. I work at Griffith High School in the Riverina. I am currently teaching LOTE/HSIE and English. This is a temporary position and I am a Primary trained teacher. My first contact with Unions was whilst I was at University. I knew that when I commenced my teaching career I wanted to continue to be involved with unions as a vehicle to maintain and improve workplace conditions. Initially it was just supporting campaigns, talking to the Fed Rep at my school, and the odd phone call to the Federation Office. I then went to a few Association meetings and after four years gained the courage to accept the position of Women's Contact. That was nine years ago. In between that I have held various positions. In 2007 I was asked by a member of my Association to run for President. I have now held that position for two years. In 2008 I was elected to Council. Being active for me has involved; writing letters to the local news paper, talking to the Local Member, joining on-line campaigns, protesting outside Farrer Place, and supporting other members in the workplace. Sometimes that could include offering advice, directing them to the right TFed sheet or helping them stick up for themselves. I am most passionate about greater acknowledgement for temps in teaching and greater support of the increased number of students that have special needs and the impact this is having in the classroom. I have also wanted to make our Association more approachable. I phoned Fed Reps encouraging them to attend meetings and helped organise dinners (where meals were subsidised with our Association funds). On each occasion we have invited a member of the Executive to attend. One Public Education dinner involved Maree O'Halloran (my old English teacher I might add) and another Bob Lipscombe. We have welcomed visits by the current Vice Presidents; Gary Zadkovich and Joan Lemaire to our school to talk about various matters as well as our organiser Deb Martin. This year we are planning a BBQ dinner to encourage activism. We are also going to thank retiring members at that dinner who have done a lot for the Federation. As a female I am very interested in women's issues. I believe that women's contribution to union activism goes in cycles depending on what stages of their life they are in, especially if they are the prime carer. This variance should not be seen as a "problem" but just simply accepted and embraced. I felt only the confidence now to apply for the Anna Stewart Program and having completed the program think: "What was I so afraid of?" The week leading up to the program I was wondering if I had done the right thing. As soon as I jumped off the plane I was whisked to the IRC and we watched parts of the TAFE case. The next day we went to the Executive meeting, where they talked about the case. I sat there and was excited that I had witnessed what they were taking about. I sat in with meetings, meetings with the Department, meetings that developed policies, meeting which encouraged unionism and went to other Association meetings. I even protested outside Verity Firth's office! Supervised and encouraged by Charmaine O'Sheades, the Women's Coordinator who was fantastic, I got to fill holes in my knowledge of the operations of the union. Jargon that used to fly over my head now made sense to me. I will go back to my school and association with this experience. I feel I will be a better activist for all teachers in schools. I strongly believe that Federation and its member's inputs makes happy teachers and schools makes happy students and that's what we are all here for. Maree DerwentMy 31 years of teaching includes experience in the country and city, single sex and co educational schools, agricultural boarding schools, selective high schools and TAFE. I thoroughly enjoy the involvement that I have with both the students and teachers. I am currently the Federation Representative at Beverly Hills Intensive English Centre. Like many others I have experienced the highs and lows of casual, temporary and part time employment. I understand the frustrations experienced by so many but feel encouraged by Federation's continued endeavours to address imbalances in our profession. Involvement in the Anna Stewart Program has been an extremely enriching and rewarding one for me. Charmaine O'Sheades, the Women's Coordinator, made this experience something not to be forgotten. Charmaine kept us busy with many opportunities to help us improve our understanding of Federation's structure and how it strives to meet the needs of all its members. I found the two week program very full and, though exhausting at times, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. The Anna Stewart Program has helped me reflect on my own activitism and my journey as a Federation member. It has also let me meet members in Federation we may otherwise only get to see in only a fleeting way. I was surprised to learn that the Executive are made up entirely from teachers, including Head Teachers, Deputies and Principals who contribute their time and expertise to reflect the core issues for members in the workplace. This is no small ask given most peoples' workloads today. I also learnt that our Organisers are kept pretty busy as well and I now have a better understanding of why an organiser may have trouble getting back to you as soon as you may like. Thanks to all those people who made this opportunity to become an 'Anna', to be able to get to know the other Anna's' and to all those who gave us their time and made this experience so worthwhile. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to develop a better understanding of our Federation. |
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