Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association
of New South Wales Inc

Media Release 23rd October, 2011

ICPA MEETS THE NEW GOVERNMENT -

WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? 

 

The State Council of the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association - NSW (ICPA-NSW) met with five new Ministers, Minister’s advisors and Heads of Departments whilst they were in Sydney last week.

“Whilst there is still plenty of work to do and some issues were not resolved, ICPA-NSW feels that we were given a good hearing and progress has been made in some areas,” Mr David Cameron, President of ICPA-NSW, stated.

ICPA-NSW met with the new Director General of Education and Communities, Dr Michele Bruniges, along with five Ministers in the new Government. State Council members had thirty one appointments over two days whilst in Sydney.

Despite only having been recently appointed to her position, Dr Bruniges demonstrated a real understanding of the problems of access and delivery of education to rural and remote students.

Education Minister Picolli assured ICPA that funding for Allison House at Broken Hill was being considered in next week’s budget estimates meeting. Some of these students may “disappear” from the education system if funding is not forthcoming.

In the coming weeks, ICPA will be meeting with the Department of Education and Communities to review the AIC Statement of Support points system,  progress the separation of integrated Distance Education Centres and contribute to an Early Childhood Review.

After much lobbying, it was gratifying to see that a car has been added to the Principal’s incentive package at Clare Public School in recognition of the vast distances that have to be travelled by the Principal to attend Conferences, meetings and training courses.

“A great deal of preparation goes into our deputation to Sydney and the fact that ICPA met with so many new people, all of whom showed a real understanding of our issues and a willingness to work with ICPA is very gratifying”, said Mr Cameron. “I am confident that solutions to many issues will be forthcoming”, Mr Cameron added.

For further information please contact:

President ICPA-NSW: Mr David Cameron,
Mob: 0427 005 040
E: NSWPresident@icpa.com.au

Publicity Officer ICPA-NSW: Mrs Kate Treweeke,
T: 02 6829 0498 F: 02 6829 0701 E: NSWPublicityOfficer@icpa.com.au