Our team

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Stick together, win together

At the SDA we have a large team of people committed to protecting and advancing the rights of SDA members. This team is complemented by our large team of Delegates and Health & Safety Representatives in the workplace.

Executive Officers

Michael Donovan - State Secretary/Treasurer

Michael's history with the SDA commenced in 1977 when he started working as a Research/Industrial Officer with the Victorian Branch. In 1992 he was elected as Assistant Secretary and then went on to become State Secretary-Treasurer in 1996. Michael has been successfully re-elected for further terms ever since, most recently in 2006 in which election he received over 90% of the vote.

Trish Connelly- Assistant Secretary

Trish came to the SDA in 1994 with valuable experience within the trade union movement and work experience in a number of industries. Trish was the SDA city Organiser for some time and also the Mornington Peninsula Organiser. In 2001 Trish was promoted to Senior Organiser which saw her supervise a team of 20 Officials. Trish was elected as the first female Assistant Secretary in 2006 by an overwhelming majority of members.

Elizabeth Shaw - President

Elizabeth is one of the SDA's most longest serving and experienced Organisers. She commenced with the SDA in 1986 and has worked as an Organiser for all of that time. In 2001 Elizabeth was elected Branch President and ably chairs the Union's State Council, Branch Conference and Divisional Meetings.

Lorraine Vallaro - Vice-President

Lorraine was first elected as Vice-President in 2003. Her involvement with the union dates back to 1987 when Lorraine worked for Safeway and was store Delegate. In addition Lorraine has served on Branch Conference and State Council since 1990. In 1994 she became a full-time Organiser, a role in which she continues in today.

Thelma Sheean - Vice-President

Thelma has been Vice-President since 2005. Thelma works for Target Chadstone where she ably represents her fellow members as a Union Delegate. Having been a union member for many years and an active Delegate, Thelma was elected to serve as both a Branch Conference Delegate and a State Councillor in 1998.