Dear members and colleagues,

 

The executive of UTASU takes the opportunity to thank you for the support and kindness [?] that you have demonstrated in so many ways over the past few months.   This is a crucial time for our beloved university and for us as academic staff and employees of this institution.

 

It is the time of year when we take a break from the pressing demands of work, reflect on where we are coming from and chart the course for the future.   UTASU continues to crave your participation and involvement in the directions we take and the decisions we make.

 

We expect that in the coming weeks and months far-reaching decisions will be taken that will have long-term consequences for the university.   We implore you to stay close to your union and be ready to participate fully.  

 

In the meantime, all the officers of the union wish for you and your loved ones, friends and family a peaceful and loving holiday, a time of refreshing and rejuvenation and God’s richest blessings.

And let us remember the reason for the season.   Emmanuel came to us so He could give His life to give us life.

 

And remember to exercise moderation.   Let us have a good time, remember those who are less fortunate than us and seek opportunities to share as often and sincerely as we can.   Reflect on this quotation from Winston Churchill, ‘we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’.

 

And as we enter the new year, 2015, let us remember

‘to do the useful thing
          to say the courageous thing
          to contemplate the beautiful thing      T.S. Elliott

 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and I wish you all the best for 2015.

Sincerely,
Joan Lawla, President, UTASU