Vicki Hodges, long term delegate, member of the USU Women’s Committee and member of the Southern branch has won the 2024 Edna Ryan Award.
Vicki has faced significant hardships in her personal life in the last twelve months yet her dedication to union women and her fellow members has been unwavering.
Vicki joined our Women’s Committee fresh out of delegate training, ‘armed with all that powerful information’ and on the recommendation of a fellow delegate and existing member of the Women’s Committee.
While Vicki has proven herself a strong and active advocate for members, she considers returning Union Picnic Day to union members only as her biggest win. When council argued it was unfair that only union members got picnic day as a public holiday Vicki researched how other councils in her area handled union picnic day and presented her findings to the consultative committee. Successfully arguing that giving union picnic day to everyone was unfair to union members, Union Picnic Day was restored to members only.
Vicki’s advice for women just starting their careers in local government is ‘join the USU and investigate the award that you work under so you are aware of what your rights are. Find out who your delegates are in council & maybe think of becoming one.’
Biological leave being included in future Awards is the workplace change Vicki most wants to see in her lifetime, because it ‘is long overdue for Women who would benefit from getting extra leave so they can manage any problems they may have without the stress of juggling work & sick leave balances.’
Congratulations Vicki and thank you for all your hard work!
Pictured: 2024 Edna Ryan Award winner, Vicki Hodges from Bega Valley Shire Council on stage accepting her Award, alongside USU President Sharon Sewell.
