Paul Waters
Nominated by Whitsunday Branch, North Kennedy Branch and QTU State Council
Paul Waters first joined the Queensland Teachers’ Union as a maths teacher at Springsure in 1984 and became an active member of the Central Highland Branch, rising to President in his third year of teaching.
He attended his first State Conference in 1985, and over the next 30 years held every branch and area council position across the Central Queensland, North Queensland, and Wide Bay regions.
30 years of distinguished service for the department saw Paul organise staffrooms of young activists from Springsure to Sarina, and Mackay to Hervey Bay. He also served the Union in several acting officer roles.
When most people are getting close to retirement and looking to wind back their work commitments, Paul had another calling. In 2018, he moved his life from Hervey Bay to North Queensland, serving as QTU Organiser for an expanding region until his retirement in 2021.
These four years saw Paul spending huge chunks of time on the road, servicing teachers in some challenging school and remote communities. As an Organiser, he worked tirelessly to develop the next generation of activists.
Paul was an incredibly pragmatic operator, whose understanding of schools from his time as a school leader allowed him to represent teacher and school leaders in an incredibly effective manner. Wise people listen to the advice this man gives out.
Paul’s life commitment to and service of the Union, its members and public education are worthy of this prestigious accolade.