Biographies

Gerard Dwyer

National Secretary-Treasurer

Gerard Dwyer is the National Secretary-Treasurer of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association. Gerard was the Secretary-Treasurer of the SDA-NSW Branch (2005-2014), National President of the Union (2008-2014) and SDA National Secretary since 2014.

Gerard grew up in regional NSW and moved to Sydney at the age of 18 to pursue tertiary studies. He has a Bachelor of Education (History and English (1989)), a Masters of Business in Employment Relations (UTS, 2002), and is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Gerard’s working life has seen him employed as a shop assistant, classroom teacher, social worker and as a Trade Union Official for over 30 years.

Julia Fox

National Assistant Secretary

Julia Fox has served as SDA National Assistant Secretary since 2016, representing over 200,000 retail, warehousing and fast food workers across Australia.

Over the last two decades Julia has worked to protect and improve the working lives of SDA members in various roles at the union through shop floor support, negotiation, research, legislative change and campaigning.

Julia has extensive leadership experience including representing the SDA globally and locally to Members of Parliament, government agencies and on the Australian Council of Trade Unions National Executive as well as in her previous role as the SDA’s National Health & Safety Officer.

Julia’s ongoing advocacy to advance the rights of women in the workplace has created awareness and significant change on issues including gender equality and equity, sexual harassment, work and care responsibilities and superannuation.

She has a Bachelor of Arts (Business Law and Philosophy) (1996) and a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) (2010) and is currently a Trustee Director on the board of REST (Retail Employees Superannuation Trust).