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My father was a firefighter from 1960 in Brisbane, and growing up I learned of the struggles faced by families of firefighters, predominantly shiftwork and low pay. I joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board in Brisbane in July 1981after completing an apprenticeship and working as a motor mechanic, and served my first ten years at various stations mainly on the Southside of Brisbane. In 1983, my brother Rob also joined the MFB, and with my father's retirement due to medical grounds in 1986, I began to take an active interest in the Union, particularly on health and safety grounds.
In 1991, I transferred to the Ipswich Area in South Eastern Region where I have worked ever since and remain working as an active firefighter to this day. After transferring to Ipswich it became apparent that there was a huge disparity between working conditions in Brisbane and those in regional Queensland. I then became involved as a Union official in the Ipswich Branch as firstly, Branch President and then Secretary. This provided me with the opportunity to learn at the "grass roots" level what was needed to effectively engage with management to ensure the best outcome for members. I was also fortunate to be able to 'proxy' as one of the South Eastern Region Delegates to the Union's State Committee of Management, a steep learning curve in itself in being able to weigh up local desires with the overall benefit to all members throughout the state.
During that time I witnessed some of the most turbulent and divisive years of the Union, and decided to endeavour to improve things. In 1996 I was appointed by SCM as State President after the resignation of the then President. In 1997, I was elected Secretary of both the Queensland-registered Union and the Queensland Branch of the United Firefighters Union of Australia, positions I held continuously until November 2009.
In 2003 I was promoted to Station Officer. This in itself took several years. The delay, in many respects, was due to my Union involvement. After completing all aspects of the promotional exam, I was being denied recognition. It seemed evident that some documents had been 'lost'. It took a costly Freedom Of Information application and threat of legal action before I was finally afforded the recognition of my qualifications gained entirely through the fire service.
I have never taken a step back when representing members and never intend to, even when it comes at a personal cost. I have committed myself over many years to represent members in the best way possible to achieve the best outcomes, and I believe the results speak for themselves. |
