Members from ICPA branches across NSW will converge on Euston for the 53rd Annual State Conference and Balranald members are the excited hosts of the conference.

Branches all over the region are ready and waiting to take their motions and points to the conference, and continue to fight for change.

Balranald President Kirsty Wilson said that it was a busy time ahead for the branch.

"In addition to our members who are busy helping out at the conference, we will have two delegates participating in the debate, plus we have two members on the State Council,” she said.

“Our branch have concerns about access to early childhood education.

“We have a number of motions to bring to the floor.

“One we are particularly keen to see the State Council successfully advocate for, is extending the NSW Government school drive subsidy to preschoolers.

“Balranald is the fifth largest shire in NSW.

“Families have no choice but to travel long distances for their preschoolers to access their recommended 15 hours per week of preschool before they start school.

“Extending the school drive subsidy to include preschoolers would go a long way to help parents transport them.

“There continues to be both State and Federal focus on the importance of early childhood education and care.

“The reality is there are not adequate services available to those in regional, rural and remote communities.

“However, the discrepancies between policies and legislation is getting in the way of practical solutions.

“Conference is a great opportunity for political and department representatives to hear the real stories and recognise the barriers faced by local families.”

Hay Branch ICPA President Michelle Spence is excited for the conference in Euston.

“The proximity of this year’s State conference allows Hay branch to have great representation, with several members being able to attend for the first time,” she said.

Hay has a long and active history in the ICPA. The branch consistently sends delegates to State and Federal conferences to present motions, vote and voice their opinions and issues.

“I feel that by going to the conference you get a better understanding on how the association runs at all levels, you get to take grassroot issues to higher levels for action.

“It gives us a real sense of purpose and belonging, revitalises our enthusiasm and is a platform for valuable networking and socialising.”

Recently a fantastic outcome to a motion Hay presented with regard to the TAP (Tertiary Access Payment) guidelines for application being reviewed and changed.

“We are passionate about helping young people from rural and remote locations to have the best chance to access further education. With this win in the tertiary sector our focus is also on helping apprentices that need to study or relocated to follow a trade”.

There will be many stakeholders and government representatives attending the conference in Euston and with a question and answer panel being run there will be real discussions around topics that are currently affecting our regions.

“We have three motions to present at this conference.

“These are covering connectivity in the classroom, 3G closure and early childhood education.

“Hay branch has an amazing team that are determined to get our voices heard.”

Rankins Springs Branch President Kerrie Johnston said their branch understands the importance and value of attending conferences in order to have their issues heard by the relevant government departments.

Rankins Springs branch have three delegates attending the State Conference in Euston in March this year, presenting four motions.

ICPA-NSW have had a number of wins for rural and remote families over the years with one of the most recent being a change to the Temporary Skilled Worker Shortage Visas (428 Visas).

This change means that the children of 482 visa holders in NSW can now attend public schools free of charge.

This is a big change, previously it was a $6000 per year, per child expense.

“This educational inequity was brought to the attention of ICPA from one of our members who faced this issue with some of their employees.

“However, there still remains many educational inequities for rural and remote children compared to their city counterparts that it remains necessary for advocacy to continue on their behalf, hence the invaluable contribution of the ICPA organisation,” Rankins Springs Branch President Kerrie Johnston said.

Hillston Branch also includes Ivanhoe and is excited to have two people attending conference this year, with one being a new member to ICPA.

“Conference is an amazing space to have our voices heard as the relevant departments and organisations are in the room,” Branch President Laura Stalley said.

“We have major concerns with the 3G to 4G change-over and the safety of children getting to school. “We need to ensure these children and their drivers have adequate phone reception.

“Our members’ mobile reception has deteriorated, with dropouts, unable to make calls even with phone reception and increased black spots.”