An awesome journey

VICTORIA MORRIS outlines her road to becoming a teacher activist and Anna Stewart Officer.

As a 30 year old single parent with two boys under the age of 10, I made a decision that I felt would change our lives -- to apply to university. It was a difficult decision to make as I had only completed year 9 at High School and didn't know what I was capable of academically. As a mother I wanted to be a role model to my children and show them that goals can be reached no matter what your circumstances are.

I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts and a Diploma of Education and started teaching visual arts. I was a casual teacher for four years in Albury before I was offered a permanent position at West Wyalong High School where I have taught for five years.

Attending regular association meetings at West Wyalong, I was nominated to the role of Women's Contact and Secretary.

I felt in order for me to inform members I needed to be more informed myself and applied for the position of Anna Stewart Officer.

As an Anna Stewart Officer for four weeks, I met and spoke to Officers and Executive members, learning about their roles as unionists and how they changed their role as educator to a union representative and activist within Federation. I am in awe of the Officers I met and worked with -- the passion and drive they have is inspiring.

I have attended school visits, association meetings and Unions NSW as well as participating in a rally against Treasurer Peter Costello, the launch of the Vinson audit report, Women's Conference, TAFE National Day of Action as a marshal, the May 27 Sky Channel about industrial relations change and Council. I have participated in Trade Union Training industrial relations and beginning teachers' workshops. I have attended professional learning courses in occupational health and safety and managing workplace bullying and harassment in the NSW education sector.

Each of these events holds a different experience for me. The rallies I attended ignited a passion to unite as one, to work together whether you are a student, a parent, a teacher or a unionist. The meetings and workshops were very informative and the training sessions were valuable. I will be able to take back with me informed and realistic points of view that can be shared with members of my school and association.

I thoroughly enjoyed the role as Anna Stewart Officer and thank all staff, Officers and Executive members at Federation House who have made my time here very rewarding and feel I could now encourage other members to consider applying for programs and professional learning courses that will benefit their roles as union activists.

Victoria Morris was an Anna Stewart Officer early in term 2.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005