It’s hard to believe that we’ve arrived at the end of another year – this one has been so full of activity that HSU members have barely had time to draw breath.

I continue to be amazed by the things that our members achieve together. In this edition of Unified, you can read about the Fair Work Commission’s interim decision on our Work Value Case and aged care members’ resolution to fight on. You can also read about the push to uncover the funding arrangements within public health so that our members can begin to see some more benefit. Neither of these massive campaigns would ever be possible without the passion and empathy that our members display every day.

I am very lucky to be able to speak to so many HSU members and learn what drives them every day. I’ve been attending worksites along with our wonderful new Assistant Secretary Lauren Hutchins, and I can happily say that meeting members is always a pleasure. The HSU Walk In My Shoes campaign is all about celebrating the essential work performed by everyone in our health system, regardless of where you sit in the hierarchy. We all deserve dignity and respect in our roles, and it’s great to hear from members how transformative this is in their day-to-day lives.

I’m honoured also to play a small part in facilitating the HSU Indigenous Development Committee, who are doing such vital work in supporting Indigenous members and communities. Grants awarded by the Indigenous Development Fund have been enormously successful so far – just turn to page 16 of this edition to see the wonderful work that the WNSWLHD Indigenous COVID response team conducted with the help of the HSU.

I am also very pleased to report that the HSU Welfare Fund has helped 144 members this year who experienced extreme hardship as a result of natural disasters.

The end of the year may be approaching, but next year we have an even busier year on the way.

Throughout the NSW election campaign and the ongoing aged care hearings, HSU members will stand together to be counted. I am proud to stand among you.

For now, I hope you and your family have a very happy Christmas and New Year.