About Us

Parents and Citizens Council, precursor of P&C Federation, is created.

P&C Federation is founded.

First P&C Federation Annual Conference.

The first edition of P&C Federation’s journal, Parent and Citizen, is published in August.

P&C Federation Annual Conference cancelled due to wartime restrictions.

The Australian Council of School Organisations was established.

NSW Department of Education approves Trust Committees within P&C Associations to expend funds in maintenance of school buildings and equipment, with the aim of overcoming delays in carrying out urgent work.

The first Parents Day is held in schools.

P&C Federation begins action to get the Federal Government to commit funding for public education.

Federation adopts a strong stand against Federal Government funding for NSW private schools (known as state aid).

Federation starts to fight against budget reductions for school library subsidies. (The subsidy was restored and increased in the next State Budget).

Federation advocates for the removal of cigarette advertising on TV.

Federation advocates for the formation of a directorate for Special Education.

• Federation launches a scholarship fund for Aboriginal education, which raised ~$14,000 in three weeks).
• Advocates for an increased number of teacher scholarships.

• Council for the Defence of Government Schools established.
• Federation convenes a major seminar on the provision of school libraries.

• Sydney Town Hall rally against state aid and the inequity of Federal funding for private schools. Seen as a turning point in politicising education.
• Federation raises concerns over school fees for items that should be provided by the Government and the victimisation by schools of parents and their children who do not pay them. Federation resolves to oppose any further extension of fees or levies.

Building fund established to collect money to support the purchase of a premises for the Federation office.

The P&C Federation advocates for:

• mature age entry to the teaching profession and the removal of other restrictions to help the pending teacher shortage.
• the Federal Government to have full responsibility for teacher training, including funding of such training
• the marking of pedestrian crossings and crossing supervisors, a pilot driver education program, the hiring of school buses at the expense of the school, and the provision of seat belts in school buses.

Federation opposes attempts by the Liberal/Country Party to remove needs-based education funding from legislation.

The P&C Federation adopts a new constitution reflecting a modern structure and values.

Federation of Parents and Citizens Incorporation Act passed by NSW Parliament.

New Constitution of the incorporated Federation adopted.

Following negotiations with P&C Federation and NSW Teachers Federation, the NSW Education Minister announces that from 1987, the school year will consist of four terms.

Federation participates in Public Education Rally at Sydney Town Hall.

Establishment of the Board of Studies, including P&C Federation representatives.

• Federation of P&C Associations Incorporation Act amended to allow P&C Associations to become incorporated.
• Federation secures an exemption from the Australian Taxation Office for P&Cs to be exempt from paying income tax.

NSW Department of Education formally acknowledges that School Councils are not to replace P&C Associations as schools’ representative parent bodies.

Federation participates in several inquiries about violence in schools and co-authors A Parents’ Guide to Schools with the NSW Department of Education.

• Federation convinces the NSW Department of Education to allow for daily floor cleaning and desk wiping in all primary schools. Concerns about cleaning of schools led to Federation gaining a place on the Department’s Cleaning Specification Committee.
• Federation successfully convinces NSW Government to soften its plans to reduce free public education for high school students, and convinces the Government to abandon its plans to require students to pay for their own transport costs above $450 per year.

• P&C Federation Annual Conference votes unanimously to apologise to Aboriginal people following the Bringing Them Home report.
• Support and feedback for the review of the HSC, the establishment of a teacher registration authority, and an office for a children’s commissioner.

Federation successfully lobbies with others to extend flashing light trials around school zones.

Successfully advocated for non-religious ethics studies in public schools.

The Federal Government’s Investing in Our Schools program includes a P&C Federation panel, which assessed 2,500 individual projects in schools.

First P&C Day celebrated on 7 March.

P&C Federation e-bulletin for members is launched.

Legislation and structure of the P&C Federation revised at the request of the Minister.

P&C Federation acts as the voice of parents in the Masters review of the NSW Curriculum.

Federation’s webinar program is introduced to increase engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is ongoing, reaching thousands of P&C Association Office Bearers, members and the broader parent and carer community.

• P&C Federation celebrates its 100-year anniversary with a program including a virtual meeting celebration, stakeholder event, conference and expanded Annual Volunteer Awards.
• New P&C Federation logo launched.

P&C Federation launches campaign to advocate for fully funded public schools.

P&C Federation’s ‘Full Funding’ campaign successful. Historic funding agreement announced with public schools to be funded to 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard.