Late last year Enid Hokin, Life Member and former Executive member and Officer of Federation, died peacefully at home aged 87.
A memorial service to celebrate her life of work and activism in the union movement was held on 24 January in the Federation auditorium in Surry Hills, followed by a wake in the Heritage Room. As was her want, a few years ago Enid put money in trust with the union so that her wake would not be a financial burden to the union.
General Secretary John Dixon described Enid as “a stalwart of this union and was passionate about our members and the concept of unity and the collective”.
“Enid was considered a tough, opinionated and strident speaker in debates in Council and Conference,” Mr Dixon said, adding that these were values not always appreciated by others. “Enid never forgot that she worked for our members first and foremost.”
Mr Dixon said he was fortunate to work with Enid as an Officer; describing her as a great mentor to many Federation officers.
Outgoing Deputy President Joan Lemaire said Enid was a great friend and activist, who she first met in 1987.
“I was somewhat intimidated, as many people were, and also in awe of her experience and her knowledge,” Ms Lemaire said. “I saw her as a great mentor and, in that mentoring, saw how she was a great teacher.”
Mr Dixon wrote in the memorial booklet given to attendees that “a mere list” of Enid’s work as a teacher and activist for Federation would do her less than justice.
“Such a list would not reveal her loyalty to Federation and her tireless enthusiasm for the cause of the classroom teacher and members of Teachers Federation,” he wrote.
Enid trained as a teacher at Armidale Teachers College in 1950/51, and was a primary teacher and a Federation activist of long standing. Her earlier work for Federation assisted in the organisation of the historic National Education Conference, and gave her a valuable grounding in union work.
From 1970 to 1974, Enid was a member of Federation Executive and represented two-year trained teachers on the salaries negotiating panel.
As President of the Metropolitan Teachers Association for three years, her leadership was affirmed when the MTA became the Primary and Infants Teachers Association.
When geographical associations were formed, although opposed to their formation, Enid became an activist in the Eastern Suburbs Teachers Association in 1977, where she held a number of positions including Association Secretary and was awarded Life Membership of the Association.
Enid was awarded Federation’s highest accolade — active Life Membership — in 1976.
Other speakers included former President Max Taylor, who told of Enid’s dedication and activism in Federation, and Peter Jennings touched on her contribution to APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad and workers around the world.
Former President Maree O’Halloran spoke of Enid’s tireless efforts for welfare rights, and as a women’s activist in Federation, while Helen MacGregor entertained attendees with Enid’s “guide to a good life”.