It’s been a long time coming, with more than a couple of false starts, but it’s finally here – the next HSU Delegates Conference!

On May 22, 23 and 24, HSU Delegates from around NSW, the ACT and Queensland will be converging in Sydney to share ideas and experiences, hear from key speakers, and – most importantly of all – make plans for the future.

The theme of this year’s Conference is Success Through Adversity. It’s a chance to celebrate the incredible achievements of HSU members despite an incredibly tough two years.

HSU members have been through fires, floods, economic instability and above all, a global pandemic that pushed frontline workers to the very limit.

When most of Australia sheltered in the safety of their homes as a deadly virus raged outside, HSU paramedics, aged care workers, health workers and disability support workers all put their own safety on the line to protect the community. In appalling conditions, with severe staff shortages and uncomfortable, restrictive PPE weighing them down, members put their anxieties aside to help those who needed their assistance most.

Of course, we know that HSU members regularly put themselves in the path of danger to help others. But the last two years has been like no other – and for that you deserve recognition.

Members in every area of HSU membership are fighting for better. We need pay and resources that match the work we put in. Most of all, we need governments that listen and act.

Delegates at the upcoming Conference will hear from NSW Labor leader Chris Minns, who will have an opportunity to present his alternative vision for our state’s future. They’ll also hear from NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard for a view from the other side of politics.

NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce will address members with a bird’s eye view of the NSW health system and the way forward in the next few years.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton will join us to share his club’s support for HSU members and in recognition of the friendship between our two organisations. We’re delighted that the Bulldogs have made such an effort – entirely without prompting – to thank health workers and celebrate the vital work you’ve been doing.

We are also honoured to welcome the Ukrainian Ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko. The HSU is strongly in support of the Ukrainian cause and we’re very pleased that His Excellency will be sharing his views and experiences with our Delegates.

This Conference is a time to celebrate all we’ve achieved despite what governments, employers and fate has thrown in our way. But we also need to talk about what action we take right now.

There’s never been a time like right now – with the Federal election occurring, the State election just on the horizon, the HSU’s once-in-a-lifetime push for aged care workers in the Fair Work Commission, and historic campaigns for professional recognition and fair pay in Ambulance and Public Health.

This is our time. Let’s not waste it.