Many members may have come across Pam Smith in her 28 years with the IEU, during which she wore many hats, including Assistant Secretary, Principals’ Convenor and Women and Equity Committee Convenor. Here is an abridged version of her farewell speech at the IEU’s AGM on 28 October.
“Being part of the IEU family and the wider union family is such a significant part of my life and has given me many wonderful opportunities to support our members, to contribute to union campaigns and to be active for social justice, equity and inclusion.
Over the years we have seen the expansion of both employer and legislated paid parental leave, access to more flexible work arrangements, and a greater recognition of the need for fair, safe and inclusive workplaces, free from harassment and discrimination.
Prior to becoming an IEU officer in 1995, I was involved in the then IEU Women in Education Committee and attended Women’s Conferences. From my first day at the IEU, Dick [Shearman, former IEU Secretary] asked me to be convenor of the Committee and since then it has been an enormous privilege to work with IEU women members and their allies, with other unions in NSW and nationally and indeed internationally.
This union has a long and strong record of support for First Nations issues, including for the Gomeroi in the Pilliga/Narrabri area and of course in the campaign for a ‘yes’ vote for the Voice. A sad result in the referendum but the values of ‘yes’ will endure and we will continue to work with and walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve a better future.
It has been a pleasure to be a member of the IEU Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee and I wish the committee well for the future.
Supporting our principal members individually and collectively has also been a highlight of my union role and I take this opportunity to acknowledge our principal members in their leadership at school, system and community levels.
The diverse and expanding role of principals has been especially highlighted by the challenges of COVID, by extreme weather events such as floods and bushfires, staff shortages, increasing compliance expectations, and also the complex economic and social pressures facing many families and communities.
It has been a pleasure during the past couple of weeks to meet via Zoom with principal members in each diocese about the enterprise agreements and there are more of these meetings to come.
I joined the union on my first day in a Catholic school and that membership has been ongoing and central to who I am and what I do. I look forward to continuing to being part of the wonderful IEU family and to being of support in any way. IEU now and forever!”