WollonGONGs send signal to Government

TAFE teachers Carol Moloney, Rob Long and Russell Hannah with Federation President Maree O'Halloran (third from left) at the awards ceremony.

by Peter de Graaff

Federation President Maree O'Halloran presented "The WollonGONGs" for negative contributions to TAFE on November 5.

The presentation of the WollonGONGs, also known as the "Additional TAFE Quality Awards" or "Bob CARRS" took place at the rear of the WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong as the TAFE Quality Awards were presented inside.

Ms O'Halloran said Federation congratulated all staff receiving TAFE Quality Awards for their quality work and the official awards showcases their professionalism, innovation and commitment to students.

"The TAFE Quality Awards provides a showcase of the work of TAFE teachers, including members from Wollongong TAFE who also appeared as a witness for teachers in the salaries case which is currently before the Industrial Relations Commission," she said.

However, she also said there were more people whose contribution to TAFE must be acknowledged.

"Unfortunately not all contributions have been positive," she said.

"Wollongong TAFE teachers presented the 'Additional TAFE Quality Awards' because they are concerned that the Government has instructed their lawyers to attack teachers' credibility in their cross-examination of witnesses in the Industrial Relations Commission [IRC]," Ms O'Halloran said.

"In the IRC the Government attacks the quality of teachers' work and argues that it does not contribute to work value. Publicly it hands out awards and provides a showcase of teachers work which demonstrate their contribution to TAFE quality."

A Bronze Gong was presented to Director-General Jan McClelland who was voted as the person most likely to retrench 1000 workers.

A Silver Gong was present to Treasurer Michael Egan for achievements in accountancy: cutting public education budgets whilst producing a $620 million surplus; and failing to fully account and set aside funds for teacher salary increases and investing in public education.

The 'Unknown TAFE Student 2004' also addressed the gathering prior to the Award of the Gold Gong. This gave recognition to the students who would not be able to afford to attend TAFE next year due to the cost of the fees: the students who would remain unknown to teachers as they would not have the opportunity to benefit from a TAFE education.

The Gold Gong was awarded to Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge for being the first Minister to introduce tuition fees in TAFE: an iniquitous tax on students (previously there was only an administrative charge). The Minister was also inducted in the Hall of Infamy for his recent comments in Parliament when as Deputy Labor Premier he congratulated strikebreakers on September 17.

In presenting the WollonGONGs, Ms O'Halloran pointed out that the Bob CARRs were like the NSW State Government, dented, broken down, not knowing the direction in which they were headed, and lacking quality.

Peter de Graaff is a TAFE Organiser.

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005