After more than two decades at the helm of the ANMF (Vic Branch), respected and influential Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick oversaw her final Delegates’ Conference in Melbourne last month.
Ms Fitzpatrick, who officially retired on 4 July, thanked delegates for their longstanding support and important contributions to advancing the professions and improving patient care.
“I’m very proud of each and every member of the ANMF,” Ms Fitzpatrick said.
“And particularly our jobs reps and health and safety reps. You stand up for your patients, your residents, your consumers, and clients every single day. Those of you in this room, and many more, stand up for your colleagues, as well.
“Working alongside you, and for you, these past few decades, has been an extraordinary honour.”
Ms Fitzpatrick qualified as a registered nurse at the former Prince Henry’s Hospital in 1983 and undertook postgraduate education in education and advanced nursing before working across a variety of clinical areas and roles, including as a diabetes nurse educator.
She became a union delegate as a student nurse in 1982, and was a job rep at Prince Henry’s during the famous 50-day strike in 1986 for pay increases, safer staffing levels, and restoration of qualification allowances.
Since her appointment as ANMF (Vic Branch) Secretary in 2001, Ms Fitzpatrick has led the now 111,000 strong membership through a range of professional, industrial and social challenges.
Standout achievements during her tenure include the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act 2015, with Victoria becoming the second jurisdiction in the world, behind California, to enshrine ratios in law, and the nine-month 2011-12 ‘Respect our work’ EBA campaign, which involved industrial action including bed closures, and thousands of nurses signing an ‘intention to resign’ if nurse/midwife ratios were not saved.
ANMF (Vic Branch) Assistant Secretary Madeleine Harradence, who has been appointed by Branch Council to the position of Secretary following Ms Fitzpatrick’s retirement, told delegates her predecessor’s incredible leadership has inspired a new generation of nurses, midwives, carers and activists.
“Lisa represents the best example of union leadership,” she said.
“She attributes success to the team. She acknowledges all who have made a direct, or indirect, contribution. She knows that she can’t do it all herself, but she instinctively also knows how to get the best out of those who are also driven to make a difference.”
Delegate Mary Natoli, who moved a motion that the conference formally acknowledge Ms Fitzpatrick’s remarkable contribution, described her as the “voice of the union” who had shaped the working lives of thousands.
“You have stood on picket lines, at press conferences in parliament and bargaining tables, and you have done it all with principle, clarity and purpose,” Ms Natoli said.
“You’ve helped shape not just the ANMF, but the health system in which we work. Because of your leadership, nurse/midwife patient ratios are law. Because of your advocacy, we have better protections, stronger education pathways, and the respect of a broader community.
“But no leader walks an easy path. In a union as large and diverse as ours, disagreements [are] not only inevitable, [they’re] essential. Nurses and midwives come from many settings, many identities, and many lived realities. What’s mattered, though, Lisa, is how you faced those disagreements, with deep belief in democracy and dialogue.
“You held ground when needed and listened when it mattered most. You knew that unions are strongest when members speak up, and you’ve always believed in our power to do better. And your commitment has always been for a stronger, fairer health system and a stronger, more united union.”
Speaking at the conference, ANMF Federal Secretary Annie Butler thanked Ms Fitzpatrick for her unwavering commitment to the union at both a state and national level.
“I’ve always said that the federal executive table has a lot of very impressive people [sitting] around it, and people who challenge and debate and fight do wonderful things, and many people who always engage in great conversation and always incredible questions, Ms Butler shared.
“But I’ve always said Lisa Fitzpatrick is always the one who asks THE question – the most important.
“Her perspicacity, her intelligence, her commitment, her wit and her incredible charm have meant so much to me over the last 11 years.”
At the ANMF’s most recent federal executive meeting, members passed a resolution to acknowledge and thank Ms Fitzpatrick for her decades of service to ANMF (Vic Branch) members and the broader Federation, as well as her significant contribution to advancing the nursing and midwifery professions in Victoria, nationally, and internationally.
