Sue Wells
Nominated by Redlands Branch
Sue absolutely embodies the exemplary unionist, loyally supporting the QTU and being committed to both influencing and progressing an industrial agenda that benefits teachers and students.
She has been continuously active in promoting the QTU’s interests and has always been passionate in her commitment to growing membership and member engagement.
Sue joined the QTU in 1976. As a young teacher, she was inspired by the Woodridge Branch’s campaign for teachers to be able to wear jeans to work. On transfer to Mt Isa, teacher housing and rural and remote incentives was the next campaign to be pursued.
Back then, schools only had one Rep. In 1985, as a young mum, Sue stepped into the vacant position at Mt Petrie State School. There was a break of a few years for child rearing purposes, but from 1992 to 2022 Sue was Rep at Redland Bay State School.
Sue was an area council delegate from 2004 to 2019, representing the Cleveland and Redlands branches. She has held branch and state positions and been a State Conference delegate. She was also an engaged member of the Campaign Action Group (2005-2012).
Sue actively engaged in the ACTU’s 2005-2007 Your Rights at Work Campaign, the AEU’s Gonski Campaign, and the QTU’s many EB campaigns, as well as leading delegations to politicians and being prepared to have the conversations at market stalls and rallies.
Sue brought others with her. She showed her Redlands colleagues that Labour Day really is the worker’s Christmas, and her energy also saw impressive and loud contingents of RBSS members front up to State Parliament during the Newman years.
It is her strength of purpose, her passion for campaigning and activating others, and her genuine commitment to the QTU that makes Sue worthy of this honour.