Louise Swinn

Louise Swinn is an AEU staff journalist, freelance writer, editor and critic, with a background in book publishing.

Schools

Union in the blood

Looking back over his career, Frank Kusch is glad to have been union all the way.

All sectors

News in brief: Term 2, 2025

A brief rundown of recent education and union-related news. This term: F for private childcare, Dutton’s disdain for teachers, Trump dumps the education department, and more…

For everyone

Why union?

For some of us, union membership was practically stamped on the birth certificate – but that’s not the case for everyone.

For everyone

No sitting on the fence

As the health & safety rep at Wodonga Middle Years College, Cameron Middleton-Else has fought hard to keep his school community safe.

For everyone

An educated mind

Beth Carpenter tells LOUISE SWINN about her path from volunteer to teacher, a commitment to education that just continues to grow.

For everyone

Friends in high places

The AEU is run by members who are elected officers – but what is the role of our Branch Councillors and Sector Councils?

For everyone

My favourite things: Teacher comedians

Is teaching the perfect training for stand‑up comedy? Here’s a few professional comedians who faced their first round of heckling in the classroom.

For everyone

Book review: Groomed, Sonia Orchard

By local author Sonida Orchard, Groomed chronicles the gut-wrenching impacts of reporting the historic case of sexual abuse, writes LOUISE SWINN.

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For everyone

Easy autumn spinach pie

Adapted from a Neil Perry recipe, this is one of those super-easy pies that’s great for lunch or dinner – and special enough for a party.

Schools

Modernisation, revitalisation for stronger education

The latest AEU–Monash University paper calls for a dramatic shift in thinking about the provision of education to improve the outcomes for members and their students.

Early Childhood

Negotiating for better wages across the early childhood sector

Recent bargaining wins leave us more energised than ever to improve wages and conditions for early childhood members across the sector.

TAFE & Adult Provision

Holding all the aces

For Strate Trajkovski, coming to TAFE teaching late has given him a singular perspective. He says it’s “like Charlie made it to the chocolate factory”.

Schools

Experience is a jewel

When starting out, it in education, it can be useful to have the support of someone with plenty of experience. We speak to two members brought together at a university expo.

For everyone

My favourite things: A guide to Gen Z slang

The jury’s out on whether you can use Gen Z slang if you are not Gen Z, but it helps to know what your students are talking about, so we’ve compiled a few common terms.

Schools

Be the change: discovering books by First Nations women

At Mac.Robertson Girls’ High, the Premier’s Reading Challenge became an opportunity to discover books by First Nations women.

Schools

Teaching tips: Tackling school refusal

Teacher Judi Stanton works with students experiencing acute mental health challenges, so she knows a thing or two about ‘school refusal’. She offers her tips to help bring students back into the fold.

TAFE & Adult Provision

They heard us loud and clear: new deal a big win for TAFE members

After years of campaigning, the AEU has reached an in-principle deal that values and respects our members in standalone TAFEs.

Schools

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow: new AEU sub-branch at Royal Children’s Hospital

It was a win–win when the Royal Children’s Hospital educational institute became a school and joined the AEU.

TAFE & Adult Provision

Big wins for TAFE teachers: the detail on pay rises

A hard-fought campaign by AEU TAFE members has secured a deal delivering a minimum 21% pay rise. Here are the details about how this works for each and every teacher in standalone TAFEs.

For everyone

News in brief: Term 1, 2025

A brief rundown of recent education and union-related news.