History

AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS INCORPORATED (A005010G)

The Association was formed when a meeting between Tasmanian, South Australian and Victorian representatives from Administrator/Business Managers Associations in Government Schools took place on the 26th March 2002 with the notion to form a National body.

An interim committee was formed at that meeting to oversee the establishment and development of the Association. The Interim Management Committee consisted of up to three nominated representatives from each financial affiliated body (State Associations).

INTERIM COMMITTEE MEMBERS

  • Victoria : Helen Steen, Linda Lee, Sharon Markham
  • Tasmania : Carl Porter, Christine Mitchell, Helen Freeman
  • South Australia : Lorraine Decelis, Vicki McDonald, Hazel Bashford

OFFICE BEARERS

  • Helen Steen Convener
  • Hazel Bashford Secretary
  • Helen Freeman Treasurer

The Committee had the following aims:-

  • To form a National Association that is truly representative of all states and territories.
  • To work towards equal representation from all states and territories.
  • To meet at least once a year with at least one representative from each state/territory.
  • Each member state/territory to have equal rights and responsibilities.
  • To form attachments with interested parties for the purpose of lobbying for improved funding for Government Schools.

The Interim Committee approached the remaining States and Territories with a view to join the Association, invitations were accepted, and now every State and Territory in Australia is represented in our Association.

Members of the interim committee have been active in networking interstate by regularly attending our sister State Conferences, meeting with colleagues and in most cases taking the opportunity to speak on their own State systems.

The interim committee has, since its inception, held regular scheduled teleconference meetings and three residential meetings have been held, one each in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.

The Association held its inaugural Conference and Annual Meeting in Sydney, New South Wales in June 2004. At the Annual Meeting the Constitution was tabled and accepted, from there we went on to formally elect a Committee of Management, as listed:

OFFICE BEARERS

  • Helen Steen – Victoria - President
  • Vicky McDonald – South Australia – Vice President
  • Hazel Bashford – South Australia – Secretary
  • Helen Freeman – Tasmania – Treasurer

ORDINARY COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT MEMBERS

  • Linda Lee - Victoria
  • Debra Scott - Tasmania
  • Kerri Wright, Christine Mayer - Queensland
  • Joy Lattin, Tina McFadyen – New South Wales
  • Elaine Capps, Bryan Bowen – Western Australia
  • Penny Beissbarth – Northern Territory

Our Inaugural Conference attracted 110 participants, over a two day period. Guest speakers from Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales State Education Departments spoke on their state systems. Senator Tierney representing Doctor Brendan Nelson – Federal Education Minister, spoke at our Conference and issued an invitation to us to contribute our views and concerns on national issues.

A second Conference is being planned for 2006 at a venue and State to be announced.

We recognise that to achieve change it's necessary to have a consolidated national body focused on achieving a common goal. Growth comes from change and commitment. We also need to recognise that strength is perceived in numbers. The greater number of people we represent the greater our impact in Canberra.

MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS IN STATE ASSOCIATIONS – 2004

  • VICTORIA ABMVSS - 500
  • WESTERN AUSTRALIA - WAMBE - 120 SECONDARY/WASSRA - 500 PRIMARY
  • TASMANIA TSAA - 200
  • SOUTH AUSTRALIA SASSAOA - 160
  • QUEENSLAND SBMA - 417
  • NORTHERN TERRITORY ASSOCIATION CURRENTLY FORMING ASANT
  • NEW SOUTH WALES - 600
  • Total 2497

POINTS FOR DISCUSSION

We have every State and Territory in Australia represented in our Association, with the exception of the ACT. I represent today over 2500 Business Managers, Registrars, Bursars and Administrators.

Members of the Committee have been active in networking interstate by regularly attending our sister State Conferences, meeting with Colleagues and in most cases taking the opportunity to speak on their own State systems.

The Committee has, since its inception, held regular teleconference meetings ….. three residential meetings have been held ……..one each in Melbourne, Tasmania and Sydney, and a further one planned in Melbourne 2005.

A new initiative: It is planned that in 2005 a National Newsletter will be produced twice a year, where information from each State and Territory will be included. This will ensure that our members nation-wide are in touch with their Colleague's issues and information sharing will occur.

Inaugural Conference was held in Sydney June 2004 with a further conference planned for 2006 at a State to be announced.

Contact has been made with the National Independent Schools Association, and regular meetings have occurred between me and their President. Some of our Committee have attended the Independent's Conference - the last conference being held in Tasmania. Their President has attended our meetings here in Victoria.

Strong interest has been shown within our State Education Departments, evidenced by the support senior members of the Education Departments from Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria have shown by travelling … in some cases .. a considerable distance to present to us at our Conference in Sydney.

We also now have considerable interest expressed in our Association by the Federal Government Education Department, with Senator Tierney representing Doctor Brendan Nelson – Education Minister.

Our National Association would like to work with the National Principals Associations to achieve results that will benefit both Associations and members.

I believe Business Managers nation- wide have the same issues of concern as do Principals nation-wide.

Main issues of concern for us are:

  • A national IT system to be developed
  • Transparent federal funding
  • Contact and discussion between the Principal and Registrar Associations with regard to issues at both state and national levels
  • Input from all stakeholders

We as a National Association have had a short and powerful journey to arrive at this point in our development.
HELEN STEEN PRESIDENT 2004

ABOUT ASBLA

ASBLA represents and supports state school business leaders across Australia and covering all school sectors including High Schools, Primary Schools, P-12 Colleges and Special Education.

Previously known as AAGSA, our association has been committed to supporting, and building the capacity of its members across all state schools, since 2004.