On 9 January 1889, 23 teachers and principals from schools across the colony of Queensland met in Brisbane to establish the first teachers’ union on this continent – the Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU).

Today, more than 48,000 educators in Queensland schools and TAFEs choose to belong to the QTU. We are here to help you in times of difficulty, to negotiate better pay and conditions, and to work on your behalf to promote the teaching profession. This is something we have done for 135 years, and something that we will continue to do for many more to come.   

To celebrate 135 years of Union achievement, we are taking a look back on some snapshots of Union history. 
The QTU’s Biennial Conference, our Union’s supreme decision-making body, is attended by more than 250 people, including Conference Delegates, Council Representatives, members of QTU Executive, and senior officers. Its main purpose is to determine QTU policy. 

In 1942, as World War II raged, the then annual QTU conference was abandoned, not only because of the outbreak of war but also the rising number of member complaints that conference had become a waste of time, was too narrowly based in representation, and too involved in insignificant details that did not reflect members' true concerns. 

A new format was created via consultation, with the Conference now consisting of Executive officers, Council members and a delegate from each branch. The organising committee at the time also recommended that the conference devote its attention to three main topics of debate determined by Council and introduced by a keynote speaker. This format remains for the most part today, although it has been extended to include policy debate and the adoption of a Conference Statement.

The Conference was originally held annually, but the Rules were amended during the 1987 Conference, and it has since been held every two years. The next Conference will be in 2025.

Beck Humphreys

Digital Media Advisor and Communications Coordinator