YOUTH COMMITTEE - GET INVOLVED TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR UNION

ABOVE FROM LEFT: YOUTH OFFICER IMOGEN SMITH AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR YOUTH ARIANA RUSSELL ENCOURAGE MEMBERS UNDER 35 YEARS OF AGE TO GET ACTIVELY INVOLVED WITH OUR UNION.

BY IMOGEN SMITH - YOUTH OFFICER

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF OUR UNION, AGED 35 OR UNDER? IF SO, WE WOULD LOVE YOU TO BE A VOICE THAT DRIVES THE FUTURE PATHWAY OF THE SERVICES UNION BY BECOMING A MEMBER OF OUR YOUTH COMMITTEE.

Any member 35 or under can nominate themselves to be part of the Committee and we meet every second month. Our current goals are to provide youth members a voice through participation as well as to organise social events, attend rallies together and work on projects together.

The Committee is lead by our Vice President (VP) for Youth, Ariana Russell who is a member and active Workplace Delegate at Brisbane City Council (BBC) where she works as a librarian. Ariana works shifts in various libraries across Brisbane which gives her a chance to meet many of her BCC colleagues.

Ariana says she is motivated to be an active member of our Union because she is committed to fighting for change and better conditions for working people. “Being a Workplace Delegate and part of the relief pool in BCC Libraries, I get the opportunity to visit a wide variety of work sites and talk to a diversity of members about what issues affect them and matter to them the most.”

Ariana also explains her motivation on becoming our Union’s Youth VP and what drives her to make a difference.

“The revolution is in the hands of the young! It’s important to make sure that young people today are even more agitated, educated, and organised than previous generations were so we can make sure we have a sustainable future for workers.”

Get involved!

WE would love to have a larger base of Workplace Delegates and members under 35, to steer the direction of our Union.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Workplace Delegate or want to know more about the Youth Committee please get in touch at imogen.smith@theservicesunion.com.au

ABOVE: EMMA DONOVAN SAYS RECEIVING THE TSU BURSARY MEANS SHE HAS ADDED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP HER STUDY AWAY FROM HOME.

STUDENT BURSARY AWARDEE, EMMA DONOVAN - STRIVING FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SERVICES UNION’S 2021 STUDENT BURSARY AWARDEE, EMMA DONOVAN WHO’S STUDYING A BACHELOR OF LAW (HONOURS)/BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE AT GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY.

Born in Townsville and the daughter of Local Government Industry member Rebecca Stockdale, Emma spent much of her childhood in Darwin. On returning to Ayr in Queensland in 2010, she attended East Ayr State School and then Ayr High School where she went on to become Community Vice Captain.

A hard worker in her academic a pursuits, Emma also played representative sport, performed in school musicals and was the President of her school’s Interact Club which organised fundraisers for an array of charities.

Now at university in Brisbane, Emma says she’s always had an interest in the legal system from a young age. “I’m a person who likes structure, justice and equity, and helping people. Therefore, I was extremely drawn to the study of Law, “ Emma explained. “I liked that this degree at Griffith enhances analytical, research and communication skills. I believe that having a psychological background will allow me to connect and understand the people I will be working with in the legal field.”

Emma is thoroughly enjoying her course especially the freedom and new friends she has made from living on campus. “I love learning about how the law has shaped our society and how it can be used to help people. In Psychology, I am learning so much about myself and how the human brain works,” Emma says. “I can also study at a time that suits me and I love living at college with lots of like-minded individuals.”

Being chosen as this year’s Student Bursary winner, Emma says was exciting. “Receiving this bursary is added financial assistance amongst the many costs associated with living and studying away from home. It has always been my goal to attend tertiary education and I have worked incredibly hard to achieve a high enough ATAR to be accepted into the course I have chosen. As they say, every little bit adds up, so this bursary is certainly appreciated.”