More than 150 people from across the state will come together in Moree next week to discuss some of the biggest issues affecting isolated children's access to education.
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Moree will be hosting the 2020 Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) NSW conference from Tuesday to Thursday, March 17 to 19.
A number of long-standing motions are on the agenda for the conference, such as preschool families having access to transport or a drive subsidy, while many new motions, including calls for better access to allied health services for children and more government boarding options for children who must live away from home for a secondary education, are set to be discussed.
ICPA NSW president Claire Butler said a total of 84 motions have been submitted by ICPA branches from across the state.
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"This highlights the fact that there is still much to do to ensure that the unique educational needs of geographically isolated children are met," she said.
"We are really looking forward to seeing some healthy debate from the floor conference - this is the time for rural and remote people to have a strong voice that will be heard by those in Parliament who have the power to make positive changes."
A number of key ministers and politicians - including Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell, Minister for Women and Regional Youth and Mental Health Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall, Member for Barwon Roy Butler and Federal Member for Parkes and Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government Mark Coulton - will be in attendance at various times throughout the three-day event.
The conference will kick off on Tuesday with a one-day pre-conference event open to the public. This free day will explore learning options available for students in rural areas, from early education to tertiary pathways.
That evening, ICPA NSW members and guests will enjoy a pre-conference dinner at the Moree Town and Country Club.
The two full conference days will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, with the ICPA NSW AGM at 8am on Thursday.
Conference dinner guests will have the opportunity to hear from guest speaker Bernie Shakeshaft, 2020 Australian of the Year Local Hero and founder of BackTrack Boys, on Wednesday night.
Finally, on Thursday night, members and guests will have the opportunity to preview the Archibald Prize touring exhibition before it opens on Friday, while unwinding in the gardens of Bank Art Museum Moree at the post-conference dinner.
Ms Butler said the Moree convening committee have done an exceptional job organising this conference on behalf of ICPA NSW.
"They have gone above and beyond expectations by introducing Education Information Sessions the day prior, on Tuesday, March 17, in partnership with NSW Department of Education," she said.
"All members of the community are welcome to attend these information sessions, which focus on options available to rural students from early Childhood right through to tertiary.
"The ICPA NSW conference is not only about forming important policies to help shape the future of rural and remote areas, but is an opportunity to bring people together, many of whom have had a horrendous year due to drought and bushfires.
"We are certainly looking forward to converging on Moree next week."
