Know Your Staff: Carolyn Monk, IEU Industrial Assistant – and former Matilda!

Carolyn is a committed unionist and a passionate football follower who took a keen interest in the Women’s World Cup. 

But Carolyn is much more than a superfan. She made her debut for Australia in 1989 and won the Victorian Soccer Federation’s McQuarie Rocco Award for Most Valuable State Team Player during her storied career. 

However, growing up in the 60s and 70s she wanted to play AFL!

“Unfortunately, in those days the only sport available to girls was netball. At 17, a school friend introduced me to football and that’s when I fell in love with the world game, a love which has lasted a lifetime. I played for six club sides and was lucky enough to be recognised with a national call up in 1989.”

Carolyn’s sporting peak occurred in an era where elite women’s sport was all but ignored. Even playing for Australia (not rebadged as the Matildas until 1995) was a labour of love. 

When Carolyn played in the Futsal National League in 1989, there was sponsorship which covered travel and accommodation expenses. 

“However, during that time, a pilot strike forced us to drive to Sydney and back most weekends so we could compete in Futsal League matches on Saturdays and rush back to play for our local clubs on Sunday. 

“That was the first and only sponsorship I ever received; players usually covered all expenses themselves.”

More than once, Carolyn had to choose between work and sport, despite being one of the nation’s elite players.

“While working at the Victorian Institute of Secondary Education I requested two weeks of annual leave to compete at the national titles but despite having accumulated enough leave, my request was declined due to the busy schedule at work. Quitting my job and competing in the tournament was not an option, given I needed to support myself.”

Despite such challenges, Carolyn played at the top level for over ten years. She then continued to compete socially until her body “eventually said no more”. 

1986 Victorian state champions (Carolyn is front row second from the left)

Committed to social justice, Carolyn said working in the union movement was a “natural progression”. Currently, she works in the industrial team assisting the Industrial Officers in advancing and protecting the pay and working conditions of IEU members.

She says the main benefit of playing sport is “the opportunity to come together as a cohesive unit and work towards a shared objective, developing lifelong friendships along the way”.

Such unity is also a core value of the union movement.

“The determination to work with people who shared my outlook has influenced both my football and work career. It is far easier to achieve together when you are working alongside people who share a common world view.

“Work, life, and football are all similar – if we all work together, we share in the hard work, but we share in the rewards and can achieve anything together. Work hard and success will come.”

Despite missing out on fame and fortune as a national representative, Carolyn is not envious of modern players. She’s rapt by the progress of her sport.

“The game has come a long way and it’s wonderful to see the recognition today’s players receive. I feel privileged to have played in the early years.”

Asked which current player she’d most love to play alongside, Carolyn’s response reveals her values.

“Katrina Gorry – she’s tenacious, works so hard covering all the pitch, she never stops and provides the foundation for the higher profile players to shine.”

Cap awarded for Carolyn’s debut in international football.

This article originally appeared in The Point V13 No3, which will be hitting IEU members’ letterboxes in the next couple of weeks.