Life Membership awarded for six decades of unionism

The AWU is proud to award long-time organiser Sam Wood with Life Membership, for his exceptional service to Australia’s oil and gas industry, particularly with Viva Geelong.

Between 1990 and his retirement in 2021, Sam held a number of positions within the union, including as National Assistant Secretary between 1997 and 2000. Since retirement, Sam has continued to assist the AWU with rules and coverage issues, drawing on his many decades of experience within the union movement.

Sam’s dedication to the oil and gas industry, especially the workers at Viva Geelong, was deeply appreciated by members and delegates. He worked both inside the union and with various federal governments to support Australia’s oil and gas industry.

Between 2014 and 2019, workers at Geelong endured massive uncertainty with an EBA expiring, a forced asset sale to a foreign investment company, and huge cuts to operations. “It was comforting to know Sam was one of the very few constants on which we could rely,” says Viva Geelong delegate Scott Grimes, who worked closely with Sam for over ten years.

“Never once did Sam not return a call, text or email. He always had a plan. In those five years, his patience and temper would never waiver.”

“To this day, past and present site delegates still laugh when reminiscing about how Sam had pulled another rabbit out of his hat!”

Sam embodies a lifetime of passionate unionism, and his dedication has helped many others become better unionists over an incredible six decades. The AWU is extremely proud to acknowledge his contribution to our great union with life membership. Congratulations, Sam!