Former president takes over the reins

More than 80 members and guests from all over WA attended its 45th State conference last week, which saw former vice president Tash Johns, Marble Bar, Pilbara, take over the reins from Liz Sudlow, Northampton, the immediate past president of the association.

Ms Sudlow said regional representatives and members travelled vast distances to attend the conference and it was a great opportunity to brainstorm ideas on regional education, as well as debate important issues.

"Attendees heard from interesting speakers, received vital practical support to help them parent in remote areas, as well as network with other members and guests," she said.

"There are almost 100,000 children living in rural and remote areas of WA, of that, over 41,000 attend primary and secondary schools in the Kimberley, Pilbara, Midwest, Goldfields and Wheatbelt regions of the State, not including regional towns in the Southwest.

"The ICPA WA will continue to lobby State and Federal governments, on their behalf, as it has done for the past four decades."

Ms Sudlow said the organisation provides many levels of support including assisting with the applications for State and Federal allowances, teacher training and student travel.

"We help parents of children aged from early childhood through to primary, secondary and on to tertiary," she said.

"The ICPA believes it is important to facilitate high quality education access to all children in the bush, and that education is imperative to the future viability of rural communities."

Ms Sudlow became a State Councillor in 2011, where she has been a committee member, State secretary and State President.

Ms Sudlow, from the Midwest branch also represented the ICPA WA on the Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council (RREAC), which advises the Minister for Education and Training on the education and training needs of rural and remote Western Australians.

Ms Sudlow sat her full three year term.

It was announced at the conference, Ms Johns was elected to take on the role as president.

Former vice president, Ms Johns became a State councillor in 2015 and was once a member of Lones branch, before joining the Pilbara branch.

Ms Johns has a pastoral station background and operates a fencing and native seed business with her husband Seton.

They have three children, who attended the Port Hedland School of the Air, who were home tutored by Ms Johns.

Ms Johns said all three of her children were attending boarding schools in Perth and were enjoying a variety of opportunities, including sports.

"The council will be meeting face to face in the next few weeks to look through the new portfolios, ministers and what we will need to be following up with them," Ms Johns said.

"The BAHA is a real concern to me and the rest of the committee.

"It was first introduced in the 1970s and was increased in 2010, with the help of the Royalties for Regions funding allocation.

"We are very concerned with the new government what will happen with RfR.

"It is not something we can lose.

"The newly elected ICPA WA council will be lobbing the new government on this issue and the Education Minister."

Ms Johns said while it was changing times in government she was looking forward to working with the ICPA WA as president.

Ms Sudlow said she was pleased to see the association raise its profile and hoped it would continue.

"I hope the association keeps asking the questions and ensure things aren't further eroded," she said.

"It's a matter of keeping the government honest."

The ICPA 2017 State Council was announced as; president Tash Johns, vice president Liz Sudlow, secretary Elyce Donaghy, treasurer and webmaster Bianca James, publicity pfficer Michelle Marshall, Lones officer Carol Ford, and councillors; Elaine Egan, Sandie McCombie, Amanda Nixon and Elize Scheepers.