2009 Union Educators Conference keynote speakers Jennifer Newman Lecturer in Aboriginal Studies, University of Technology, Sydney Jennifer is a Wiradjuri woman and lecturer at UTS in Aboriginal Studies, Adult education, Communications and Indigenous Social Policy. Prior to working at UTS, Jennifer was a lecturer in Aboriginal community development at Cumberland College of Health Sciences, University of Sydney. She uses experiential education to help individuals celebrate their cultural identities but does this in a way that allows them to walk together comfortably with care and respect on Aboriginal land.   Helen Te Hira Indigenous Education Project Coordinator from NZCTU Helen Te Hira is  descended from Ngapuhi, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa and Ngati Whatua peoples of Northern part of North Island. She was fortunate to grow in a community where Matauranga Maori – indigenous practices and knowledge were valued and used for maintaining the wellbeing of a bi-cultural community (Maori and Pakeha) . As a young person the principles of leadership and organising were  demonstrated to her in the way elders conducted themselves and she was encouraged  to be politically active. As a student she became active in  Asia – Pacific solidarity movements supporting youth activism and migrant workers rights. Living in Hong Kong for 3 years she was part of the formation of TRA – Thai Regional Alliance of Workers. The struggles of people against colonisation and for self determination remain an ongoing inspiration in the education and organising work she now does within the New Zealand union movement. Her most recent work in sharing these perspectives have been the Maori Models of Organising union programme and the recent campaign to have Maori seats on the governing body of the new Auckland ‘supercity’. Tony Maher National President of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union General Tony Maher was appointed to the position of General President of the Mining and Energy Division in 1998. Prior to this, Tony was one of the national leaders of the FEDFA. Tony has held a variety of positions within the FEDFA and the CFMEU-including Industrial Officer, National Organiser, Assistant General Secretary, General Vice President and Senior General Vice President. CFMEU supports energy efficiency as the most cost-effective way to reduce energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  CFMEU supports the full suite of energy solutions and has actively campaigned for the Renewable Energy Target. At this conference Tony will talk about the role of unions in educating their members on issues that are challenging and potentially divisive, how the CFMEU have done this in relation to climate change and what are the lessons. Phil Katz Communications Manager and Strategist Phil is an award-winning communications manager and strategist. Phil possess an extensive knowledge of print, design and written communication and has taken a leading role in developing and delivering online communication programs. He has worked in partnership with and as a consultant for leading national and international organisations ranging from membership and campaigning bodies to blue chip clients.  For the past 19 years, Phil has worked as Principal Officer responsible for communications, marketing and promotions at the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers' organisation in Europe, managing an annual budget of £2-3 million. Before that he held a similar post at the UK’s then largest union, the TGWU. He is a four time winner of the prestigious TUC award for Best Recruitment Campaign, Best Use of Electronic Communications [ twice] and Best Campaign. Michel Newman Michael Newman worked as an adult educator in the UK as well as Australia. In the UK he was a community education worker in inner London, then Warden of the Working Men's College. In Australia he has been a consultant in adult education and training, Educational Director of the Metropolitan Region of the Workers' Educational Association, and a national trainer with the Australian Trade Union Training Authority (TUTA). He joined the University of Technology, Sydney, in 1989 and retired in 2001. He has published six books on adult education, three of which have won the Cyril Houle Award for Outstanding Literature in Adult Education. He has been a visiting scholar for brief periods in Canada, the Netherlands, Jamaica, Thailand, New Zealand and South Africa. Mike continues to write in the fields of adult education and social action. His most recent book is Teaching Defiance, published in 2006. He is an Honorary Life Member of the National Tertiary Education Union of Australia, and an Honorary Life Member of the National Association of Adult Continuing Education in the UK. In 2008 he was invited to be inducted into the International Adult Education Hall of Fame.