Glenn Lowe

President

We are proud to celebrate the 70th anniversary of our remarkable union at the IEU’s 2024 AGM. We marked this important milestone with insightful presentations from esteemed guest speakers who highlighted our rich history and the substantial growth we’ve achieved over the decades.

The contributions of the speakers on this page serve as a powerful reminder that our strength lies in unity – and numbers. Together, we’ve built a resilient community that advocates for the rights and wellbeing of our members.

As we reflect on our past, it’s clear that ongoing growth is essential for the advancement of our union. It enables us to improve working conditions and pay rates for our members.

We must continue to raise our voices at every opportunity, ensuring we are heard loud and clear. Let this anniversary inspire us to forge ahead, united in our mission to support one another and advocate for positive change.

Carol Matthews

Secretary

I’d like to express my appreciation for the work of our staff, members, reps, Council delegates and Executive members, who have all made the IEU such a vibrant union. We have so many different membership groups represented amongst us and that’s just fantastic.

When you think about where we’ve been and where we’re going, you only have to think about the 2022 campaign in Catholic systemic schools, the current campaign we’re having in Christian schools, and the campaign in independent schools, to see how far we’ve come in terms of the breadth of matters we’re dealing with.

We’re active across all parts of our membership, and that’s really a reflection of the commitment of our members in those sectors. When we started, it wouldn’t have been possible to envisage the level of activity that we have now.

I can’t help but think back about our growth as a federal union. In the mid-80s, we were just a loose association of state-based unions. We then became a national union, and that was really
due to the work and commitment of Patrick Lee, who was the Federal Secretary, and who really drove us to be registered as a national union.

It’s hard to contemplate now, when you think about how we think of ourselves, we think of ourselves as part of a national union. The secretaries talk to each other, we plan national campaigns, our organisers and industrial officers meet. There’s just so much more unity of commitment and purpose than could ever have been imagined.

We’e had 70 years of history but we’re also looking forward. We’ve endorsed a Strategic Plan to help us grow for the next 70 years and to build on our strengths and help us do the very best for our members.

John Nicholson

President, 1969
General Secretary, 1970-77

In February of 1972 I had the honour of becoming the first full-time General Secretary of what was then AMMA, the Assistant Masters’ and Mistresses’ Association.

We are celebrating 1954 as the union’s commencement date but I would argue that 1958 – that is, four years later – is a more important date. That was when we [were registered] as a trade union, entitled to approach relevant courts and commissions on behalf of our membership to achieve social justice through awards, working conditions, reinstatements and the like.

It was the year we became a trade union capable of covering educators in a wide range of non-government education institutions, a union that had now gained a capacity to seek social justice, supported through law by court orders.

So the history of the Independent Education Union of Australia started with a small coffee group of assistant masters, but over 70 years, it has become one of the most effective and respected – even in legal circles – achievements in NSW, Canberra and throughout wider Australia.

Those achievements were initially started by a few – a few that I was fortunate enough to be part of.

Those of you here today replaced earlier cohorts of the AMA [Assistant Masters’ Association], the AMMA and the Independent Teachers Association. You are no doubt more experienced, more skilled and more informed than we were, but if I may respectfully say so, no more dedicated than we were in striving for social justice.

So tonight, those of us who have long been members join with the current membership in celebration of 70 years’ work by the IEU. Bearing in mind I am probably the oldest person in this room, and I believe I hold a membership card longer than any other person in this room.

If I may say, I am so proud of what you have done, what you have achieved. My thanks, my congratulations. This is a history well worth telling.

Michael Raper
General Secretary, 1981-1989

In 1977, I was appointed the first organiser, provided with a brand new Toyota Corolla hatchback, and set out wandering around NSW, looking for schools. We didn’t have lists. I’d turn up at schools, wandering in at what I thought was lunchtime. I’d get up before the staff at lunch. “I’m from the union,” I’d say, “and here’s what I want you to know”.

Since I left in 1989 to set up the national welfare rights movement, I have keenly observed this union’s ongoing, stunning achievements over which all of you have presided.

I’ve witnessed the continued growth and expansion into an industrial union taking in the much-neglected clerical staff in our schools.

I’ve witnessed the relentless commitment to serving the best interests of members.

I’ve witnessed the ongoing commitment to the engagement of members through the hard fought for and unique decision-making and governance structure – chapter, sub branch, Council – never to be underestimated or taken for granted. I’ve witnessed the long tradition of women in the role of president over many years.

I’ve witnessed the display of industrial agility, the creativity and robust advocacy necessary to steer the union through such significant shifts as collective bargaining, enterprise bargaining, and the profound challenges of the new national industrial structure.

I’ve witnessed the embrace of the challenges of greater diversity and First Nations peoples within the union’s own structures and throughout the sector.

I’ve witnessed the ongoing brilliance of the information and skillful advocacy in that wonderful rag, Newsmonth, since 1981, NewsExtra since 1983, and your professional journal, IE magazine.

Most of all, I’ve witnessed the continued defence of the rights of individual teachers and the advancement of the noble and ever more difficult profession of teaching.

Throughout all those 35 years, I have remained so very proud of this union, proud of its members and the incredible work that they do every day. I’m proud of the energy, advocacy, agility and comradeship.

There is so much to be proud of, and I congratulate you all.

Brad Hayes
Federal President

Seventy years of union success is definitely worth celebrating. The NSW/ACT Branch of the IEU has always played a crucial role on the national stage.

Your membership density and collective bargaining success are the envy of many unions, both within and outside the education sector. You continue to punch well above your weight and build union strength far beyond national levels.

Seventy years! Think for a minute about the battles you’ve fought in this time: anti-union laws, hostile employers, legal threats. You not only stared down these attacks but grew to be one of the strongest unions in any sector in the country.

On a personal note, I extend my appreciation to your branch leadership team of Secretary Carol Matthews, Deputy Secretary David Towson, Assistant Secretary Lyn Caton, Assistant Secretary Amanda Hioe and President Glenn Lowe.

And to your branch more broadly for the leading role you’ve taken in first winning, and now embedding, new workplace laws. These laws now benefit all Australian workers, and you were front and centre to make it happen.

Your branch delivered an amazing delegate to front a Senate inquiry on why we needed new delegates’ rights. Your branch delivered a preschool teacher to lead a media and lobbying blitz on why we needed fairer bargaining laws. Your branch delivered a primary school teacher to share her personal stories with parliament on the serious challenges impacting the profession.

And with just two days’ notice, you delivered an entire school in the ACT so the federal Workplace Relations Minister and the media could meet with education workers to discuss our newly won right to disconnect.

Whatever’s been needed, your members, your union leadership team, your officers and union staff have exceeded expectations.

And now your branch is a national leader in using these new rights. There have been just three supported bargaining authorisations in the entire country, and your branch has won two of them: the long day care wages outcome; and your ground-breaking NSW community preschool negotiations that will benefit members in over 100 preschools previously locked out of bargaining.

You have, and continue, to lead the charge. All unions stand to benefit from your activism and collective power.

So, finally, thank you. Congratulations. And cheers – happy birthday to a great union.