New online and social media journalist, photographer and videographer for the IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Angus Hoy plans to tap into his passion for politics and drama to add his own personal touch to IEU communications.
Hoy, 24, a self confessed political tragic, hopes his fighting spirit will come across in his communications. Tapping into a younger audience will be one of his targets.
Hoy grew up on the northern beaches, barring a stint living in the UK, and has been a volunteer surf lifesaver and elite level athlete most of his youth, achieving multiple state and national champion titles in sprint kayaking and both surf and flat water rowing.
A passion for drama is in the genes, with a one time drama teacher mother and playwright sister, and Hoy wanted to be an actor before the harsh realities of making a living in that field hit home. He’s worked on a number of independent films, both in front of and behind the camera.
Instead he decided on journalism, with the aim of “speaking truth to power”.
Initially at UNSW, he soon realised specialising in PR and advertising wasn’t for him – “I didn’t want to sell stuff” – so he completed a communications degree at UTS.
“But I didn’t want to be writing about other people making change, I wanted to effect change myself.”
Being on the inside at a trade union was the perfect option and Hoy believes unions are crucial as “no one else will stick up for the workers”.
In his first week at the IEU he was thrown into the deep end, involved in the Union’s fight against exemptions to anti-discrimination laws afforded to religious employers.
“It really brought it home that I was fighting for real people being effected in a real and awful way.
“I feel privileged to be part of a union that is standing up so people can live their lives the way they want and deserve to live.”