The final preparations are underway for the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association 51st annual Federal Conference to be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Perth, Western Australia on 3 & 4 August 2022. The Conference will be the first fully face-to-face federal conference for ICPA (Aust) since 2019 and will be a valuable opportunity for members and guests from all over Australia, to come together to continue the 51-year tradition of striving for equitable educational outcomes for rural and remote children regardless of where they live.
The Conference, aptly themed ’Outback to Ocean – Growing Member Connections’ is being held on the shores of the beautiful Swan River, a spectacular backdrop for what is sure to be a spirited event.
The 51st ICPA Conference will be officially opened by the Hon Fiona Nash, who was appointed as Australia’s first Regional Education Commissioner in 2021 with the objective of championing the improvement of educational outcomes and attainment for regional, rural and remote students.
On the afternoon of Day 1, attendees will welcome Keynote speaker Dr Craig Challen SC OAM, technical diver and cave explorer and one of Australia’s rescue heroes. Dr Challen participated in the Tham Luang cave rescue of 13 people in Thailand and was subsequently named 2019 Australian of the Year for Western Australia.
With the disparity in educational opportunities and outcomes for geographically isolated students, a full program over two days involving guest speakers, motions and reports will provide important debate and discussion on members’ issues, including:
- Extension of the AIC Distance Education Allowance to include 3-4-year-olds accessing approved Distance Education early learning programs
- Mobile early childhood funding
- Early diagnosis and treatment of medical issues affecting educational development
- Appropriate and affordable internet access
- The need for a Distance Education Teaching Allowance (DETA) in recognition of the role of the Home Tutor in educating geographically isolated students via distance education
- Access to NAPLAN
- Increases to the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Boarding Allowance
- Assistance to access tertiary education
- Increases to the Commonwealth Living Away from Home Allowance (LAFHA) for rural and remote apprentices
- The establishment of a Rural Hardship Education Fund (RHEF).
The Conference Website contains the Preliminary Conference Program, Motions, events, updates and announcements. With no current border restrictions for entry into Western Australia, ICPA (Aust) and the Conference Convening Committee are looking forward to welcoming delegates and guests from across Australia to the Conference in just ten days’ time.
Further information and comments please contact:
Alana Moller, Federal President
Suzanne Wilson, Federal Publicity Officer
