Message from the Branch President, Jacqui Lawless

20/09/2022

Our Annual ACEL Awards Evening was once again a great success. The evening is one of recognition and celebration. It is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with past colleagues and to applaud the 2022 Awardee’s.

We especially congratulate Donna Bucher who was inducted as a Branch Fellow. Donna Bucher is an outstanding educator and has been an educator and leader for most of her career in Catholic Education in Tasmania [CET]. She has been an active member of ACEL for at least 12 years and supported many local and national events and conferences. In her leadership role in CET, she has regularly promoted ACEL events and resources and has positively advocated for the TCEO Teaching and Learning team to engage with professional learning and networks via ACEL. Donna Bucher who is an exemplary Educator and Leader and fine advocate for the work of ACEL.

We also congratulate Leanne McLean, Commissioner for Children and Young People for receiving the ACEL Public Discourse Award . Her role is to promote the rights and wellbeing of Tasmanian children and young people—including ensuring that their rights are considered and respected by adults when making decisions that may affect children. Leanne has a wealth of experience as a leader in social policy development, including working at the coal face with young people and in senior public service and government advisory roles. As the CCYP Leanne often speaks with eloquence and passion about the importance and transformative power of education, and of early intervention. A message which ACEL strongly endorses. She uses a variety of platforms to do this such as, public speaking, advocating in committees and networking spaces, reports, submissions, media releases and forums. In providing a voice for children and young people and strongly advocating on their behalf Leanne demonstrates so clearly her exemplary leadership and her passionate belief in the value of every young person in shaping the future of Tasmania. She is a most fitting recipient of ACEL Tasmania’s Public Discourse award for 2022.

Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for the celebration.

Please save the date for our Breakfast with the Minister on Wednesday the 2nd of November at the Royal Yacht Club in Sandy Bay. This will be our first opportunity to meet with our new Minister for Education, Roger Jaensch. The annual Breakfast with the Minister is an opportunity to connect with colleagues but also an important opportunity to listen to the Minister outline their vision and ask questions that effect education in Tasmania.