Federation women setting the agenda

The Australian Education Union's Federal Women's Conference planned action on several critical issues, writes SIOBHAN CALLAN.

Eight Federation delegates represented Federation at the AEU Federal Women's Conference in Melbourne on October 4 and 5.

These NSW women were Federation Women's Co-ordinator Siobhan Callan, TAFE representative Maxine Sharkey, Federation Organisers Michelle Rosicky and Charmaine O'Sheades, Aboriginal Education Co-ordinator Charline Emzin-Boyd, Federation Executive member Debbie Westacott, Pamela Gregg from Keira Technology High and Anne Gates from Parramatta District Office.

The theme for the Conference this year was "Following Through" and various workshops were held at which women teacher unionists from all over Australia devised ways to practically implement AEU Women's Conference policies developed in 2002.

Workshops were held on policies around women and activism, women and the profession, women and human rights, developing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program of action, as well as one for gender equity and developing a response to current boys' education and male teacher strategies.

Keynote speaker AEU Federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Officer Darcel Moyle spoke movingly about her experiences growing up with her grandparents on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Queensland. To avoid harsh punishment her grandparents had to take the children down to the creek at night-time and teach them by firelight about their culture, their traditional songs and language.

Ms Moyle said policy development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders depended on negotiation and must be inclusive, involving all stakeholders in the process. Darcel also emphasised the "value of dialogue, sharing stories, [and] developing relationships" in order to promote empathy and understanding amongst teachers, students and the community.

Khyiah Angel, a teacher at Katoomba High School, spoke with great clarity and determination during a panel discussion on human rights. Ms Angel raised issues around gender construction and stereotyping, including homophobia and harassment. Community advocacy worker Stancea Vichie, who spoke about the situation of asylum seekers in Australia today and the impact of government policies upon asylum seekers, joined her.

Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli from Deakin University spoke about the ways in which the current debate on boys education in Australia was misguided in attributing lower literacy levels among boys to the notion of boys having different learning styles to girls in the classroom. Dr Pallotta-Chiarolli explained boys' literacy levels are very closely connected to power relationships in our society. A main part of the problem is that boys can't be seen to be literate and interested in reading and writing in the classroom. Schools need to look at the ways in which success in literacy for boys is recognised as being as important as prowess on the sporting field. Also, Dr Pallotta-Chiarolli pointed out that "access, equity and social justice" are very important issues in "boys education", rather than the "learning styles" of boys.

ACTU industrial officer Cath Bowtell reported on the progress of the ACTU work and family test case, lodged with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission in June. The test case aims to establish new minimum entitlements for federal award employees in relation to leave, part time work and more flexible hours. It is hoped that standards established through the test case will lift conditions in all awards and address the necessity of providing family-friendly workplaces.

The AEU Women's Conference addressed many important issues for women as teachers and unionists. It is one of the main discussion and policy based forums for Australian women unionists, often setting the agenda for equity and opportunities for Australian women teachers. All women are encouraged to nominate for election for next year.

Siobhan Callan is the Women's Co-ordinator.

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October 2003 contents