Michelle Giles
Nominated by Port Curtis Branch, Central Queensland Area Council and QTU State Council
Michelle has been a very active and proud QTU member who wore her activism on her sleeve.
She has been a strong advocate for teachers’ rights and ensuring industrial compliance in the workplace. She knew that fighting for and winning those rights was only half the battle, and she would ensure that everyone she worked with knew what they should be receiving.
Michelle’s work as a representative of the Port Curtis Branch has had a massive influence. She established strong working relationships with the local state members, firstly the independent MP Liz Cunningham and then the current MP Glenn Butcher. When the department began making noises about removing teacher accommodation from Gladstone, Michelle persuaded Liz to take up the fight. Years later, when the issue came up again, Michelle met with Glenn Butcher to advocate for teacher housing again.
Michelle has served five terms on the Central Queensland Area Council, from 2002 up until 2015. She has also served five terms on State Council, representing the Port Curtis branch from 2005 to 2020. This was in addition to her term representing the Central Western Branch earlier in her career. Michelle also sat on the State Accommodation Committee.
Many women in the Gladstone area have commented on how their own activism in the QTU is due to Michelle’s support and encouragement for them personally. Her legacy is that she leaves a long list of women activists who will follow in her footsteps.
We cannot fail to mention the support and activism of Michelle’s husband Kevin, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in March. Kevin was proud of Michelle’s achievements and the work that she did both as a teacher and QTU activist. There would be nobody prouder than Kevin to see Michelle awarded QTU Life Membership.