Cobar’s isolated parents form new support group
Wednesday February 25, 2009
Cobar ICPA’s new executive Karen Viant, Melissa Lawrence and Jillian Prince at the group’s first meeting at the Empire Hotel last week. ▪ Photo contributed
The Cobar branch of the Isolated Parents and Children’s Association (ICPA) was re-formed following a meeting last Tuesday at the Empire Hotel.
Jillian Prince has taken on the role of branch president with Melissa Lawrence elected to the position of secretary and Karen Viant will fulfil the treasurer’s duties.
ICPA is a voluntary lobby group that works to provide equality of access to education for all students who live in rural and remote areas.
President ICPA-NSW, David Cameron said he was delighted that the Cobar Branch had reformed after three years in recess.
“The Cobar branch has a proud history, being active for over 30 years,” Mr Cameron said.
“In 1992 the Cobar Branch co-hosted a State Conference with the Tilpa Branch.
“Two branch members, Pat Le Leivre and Joe Bourke, have each served on State Council and their contributions have been significant.”
Mr Cameron said ICPA works to ensure that children’s educational needs and future aspira-tions are not disadvantaged simply because of the location of their family home.
He said their focus is on issues concerning early childhood, rural schools, school bus travel, private vehicle conveyance, the Country Areas Program (CAP), distance education, communications, boarding facilities, curricu-lum, education allowances, special education and tertiary education.
ICPA seeks maintenance and appropriate funding from state and federal governments so that each family can choose schooling for their children for their needs and circumstances.
Mr Cameron said Mrs Prince was looking forward to the challenge of getting the fledge-ling Cobar branch up and running.
“The strength of ICPA lies in its member base. It is now the challenge for Cobar to at-tract new members and build a strong branch so their voice can be added to the 33 other branches across the state,” he said.
ICPA State Council has offered to financially support two delegates from Cobar to attend the ICPA State Conference in Dubbo next month.
“I am very pleased that two of the Cobar members have agreed to go to the conference and we welcome their attendance.”
Mr Cameron said the members will learn about the issues that affect rural and remote families across NSW and get a better under-standing of how ICPA works.
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