Although she qualified as an English teacher many years ago, Olivia is a relative newcomer to the profession, with only six years experience. Nevertheless, IEU Assistant Secretary Mark Northam thought the St Francis Xavier's Hamilton teacher would be perfect to represent the IEU on the BOSTES committee examining the implementation on the new English curriculum.
“Mark approached me to do it as he thought I would have fresh ideas, being new to teaching, and because I work in a senior college,” Olivia said.
“Also I think he believed my other life experiences would stand me in good stead.”
Her ‘other life experiences’ include eight years as a professional cyclist in Europe, placing 12th out of 67 riders competing in the road race at the 2004 Athens Olympics and competing in six world championships.
She was also the World President of the Professional Cycling Association from 2005 to 2007, and it was her role to advocate for women cyclists, mainly on safety issues.
“There’s not a lot of money in women’s cycling and race organisers make all sorts of compromises around safety, the grounds and the prize money, which is much less than men’s.
“Professional male cyclists have a minimum wage while women do not. So I was trying to advocate around issues like that and be a full-time professional athlete at the same time.”
Having experienced advocacy on the world stage, joining the IEU was automatic for Olivia and she has no qualms about her role representing teachers.
“My job is to make sure that at committee level we meet needs of students, but there is also awareness of workloads and workplace fairness.
“In English there are whole new areas of study and new texts being introduced for Year 12 and this means more work.
“Without union representation on the committee, teachers’ voices would not be as loud.”
Her previous experience allows her to “be vocal in a group” and stand up for the rights of others, Olivia said.
“As a professional athlete you do live in a bubble where it becomes all about you and a bit narcissistic.
“I saw teaching as a way of using my life experience to give something back to others.”