The Dubbo rally was held on Show Day in beautiful Victoria Park with a march along main streets to state and federal MPs’ offices and the Dubbo Office of Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst, where the resolution (see p1) was delivered.
Dubbo
There were 50-60 members at the rally and most Dubbo schools were represented, with many from St John’s College. Members also travelled from Wellington, Parkes and Gilgandra. We salute the travellers for joining us.
Signs were witty and well observed, including:
“There’s a hole in our future dear Perrottet, dear Perrottet”
and a very poor school report:
“NSW Government Report Card:
F – funding
F – pay
F – teacher shortage
F – teacher workload”
Thanks to rally speakers Louise Hughes, Central West Sub Branch President; Sarah Goodwin, Aboriginal Education Worker at St Laurence’s Dubbo; Josh Brady, IEU Rep at St Laurence’s Dubbo; Jeff Pratt, IEU Organiser and MC, and IEU Organiser Ann-Maree McEwan.
Sarah Goodwin offered a memorable Acknowledegment of Country, observing that our stop-work day was also the start of National Reconciliation Week. The theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week, “Be Brave. Make Change”, could also apply to IEU members, Sarah said.
Chris Rollo from St John’s College stepped up to lead the chants with gusto and everyone was in fine voice as the Rally Pop-Up Choir sang Solidarity Forever (Hear Our Voice version ) a few times during the march.
Some colourful outfits, t-shirts, balloons and members’ children made for a great rally.
Organiser
