Farewell Michelle Eades
Michelle Eades is retiring after 30 years with the ACA as the National Executive Officer, charged with the governance of the national peak body and the relationship with the Fair Work Commission. Michelle has been instrumental in the success of the ACA and she will be missed.
Michelle was effectively the ACA’s first employee, brought on in 1994 to handle the relationship between the fledgling employer organisation and the then Industrial Relations Commission (now the Fair Work Commission). “I came in at a time where the technical services architects Award had just been established. I think one of the greatest achievements of the ACA was to have an award for architects stand alone and not thrown in with other awards, like manufacturing or miscellaneous.”
Michelle’s legal background held her in good stead for her pivotal role in the ACA, working closely with the Fair Work Commission, ensuring that all ACA-related information was up-to-date and keeping members abreast of their ever-changing employment obligations. “My knowledge base has grown over the years as the Fair Work Commission has grown and the obligations of the employer organisations have become more rigorous. Regular reporting to Fair Work and reporting to ACA members is an important aspect of my role.”
Michelle has had a strong, longstanding relationship with staff at the Fair Work Commission. She has an intimate understanding of the ACA constitution and works closely with Fair Work on necessary rule changes. “When it comes to corporate knowledge, I maybe underestimate what I know. One of the guys from Fair Work that I work with recently said that there are a lot of other organisations that have staff of 50 to do what I do. It’s really nice to hear, and I’m going to leave the ACA with a feeling of achievement about that.”
Michelle has been very impressed with the growth and development of the ACA over the last few years.
“We’re just a little organisation but we have a very big impact. While the prime objective of the ACA is industrial relations, it has also moved into the Business of Architecture, providing practices with information on financial management, insurance and risk, mental health and wellbeing, CPD webinars, pro forma agreements, to name a few.
But its real strengths are its people – with so much heart – and its ability to be quick and agile. Some organisations are like a giant cruise liner that is full of people, which is great, but if you try to turn it around, it takes forever. I see the ACA as the little tugboat that can just spin on a dime and go off in another direction when needed.”
As National Executive Officer, Michelle has worked very closely with the ACA’s first CEO Angelina Pillai over the past six years. “The introduction of Ange was a fantastic move. She has brought clarity, structure, organisation and improved communication among branches and nationally… And she’s become a good friend.”
The ACA farewells Michelle with a heavy heart. She will be missed. She has been calm, wise, knowledgeable and kind to all who work with her, quick with a compliment or supportive advice, always available to listen and support. We wish her well as she embarks on a well-deserved retirement.