It’s been six months since we updated members about staff movements at ANMF. That update began with the joyful news of the birth of Assistant Secretary Madeleine Harradence’s daughter, Frida. Sadly, this update begins on a much more sombre note – acknowledging the untimely death in December of industrial officer Brendan Soraghan.
Brendan was a longtime staff member (having joined the Branch in 1996) and a skilful negotiator committed to improving the wages and conditions of ANMF members. He was integral to countless successful enterprise bargaining campaigns, and a much-loved and respected friend, colleague, leader, teacher and mentor to many ANMF staff.
Brendan’s work covered members at some of the state’s biggest workplaces, including Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women’s Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Bolton Clarke, BUPA and Melbourne Private Hospital.
His loss is acutely felt within the ANMF family.
Kate Burgess, who previously covered for Brendan during his annual leave last year, has been appointed permanently to the role. They are big shoes to step into but Kate has proved up to the challenge.
Industrial and professional staff changes
In January, Alexandra Rossi started as an industrial officer overseeing member assistance team and reception. This role takes over from Alison Webb, who retired in January.
Alexandra had previously been covering Monique Segan during Monique’s parental leave. Monique returned to duties in February.
Also returning is industrial relations organiser Miriam Harrison. Miriam (or Mim, as she is more commonly known) is currently covering for Margie Thomas, who has moved onto new challenges after almost five years with the branch.
Meanwhile, Tara Hill is now permanently in the role of relieving industrial relations organiser, and Stephanie Bligh and Bill Foord-Engelsman’s fixed-term organiser roles have been extended until June and November respectively.
Bill is backfilling for Alana Ginnivan, which means her backfill as a professional officer has also been extended until November.
While members will be most familiar with industrial officers and industrial organisers, these teams could not do the work they do without the vital support of industrial assistants. Natalie Dimech has joined the Branch as a permanent industrial professional assistant, Lily Turnbull has returned from parental leave to her position as a relieving industrial professional assistant, sharing with Nelum Salgado; and Ella Hooke will continue providing industrial professional support throughout the public sector EBA campaign. Lynette Abarca, who joined the Branch as a casual industrial professional assistant, has now been made permanent.
Delegates may recall a new minutes secretary on stage with your elected officials at last year’s delegates conference, as Genevieve Johnson was covering Vanessa Standfield’s long service leave. Vanessa has now returned, relaxed and refreshed, and Genevieve has reverted back to her industrial professional assistant role.
OHS team changes
After nearly a decade with the Branch, deputy OHS team manager Claire King is seeking out new challenges on a national level. Claire’s last day with ANMF was in April, and Harriet Williams has stepped up from her OHS officer role to take on the deputy manager position.
The team will also be farewelling OHS officers Chris Dixon and Yiota Paraskevopoulos in May, but welcoming new OHS officers Sue Robertson, Olivia Petersen and James Napier.
Meanwhile, OHS officer Hannah Dilemma and her partner have announced they are expecting a baby, and Hannah will therefore commence parental leave from June.
Other team changes
Looking after the industrial and professional needs of 100,000+ members wouldn’t be possible without the Branch’s business information systems team, who provide vital behind-the-scenes work that ensures all other staff are able to best support, contact and connect with members. The team was joined in March by Josie Harrison, stepping into the business information systems support officer role. Josie was previously a membership services officer.
The member assistance team, meanwhile, welcomed back Kindon Hope following her completed midwifery studies.
