History

The First 50 Years

The establishment of Parents and Friends in Queensland in 1961 was assisted greatly by Mr Bill Roberts, then Queensland Commonwealth Deputy Crown Solicitor, who had been heavily involved in the Western Australian Parents and Friends Federation which was the first such State Federation to be established in Australia.

Two other key foundation figures who were to influence the P & F Federation in a major way were Mr Jack Woodward, the Secretary and strength of the organisation for 20 years (1961-80) and Fr Barney O'Shea, Director of Catholic Education in the Archdiocese for many years and Spiritual Director and Mentor to the State Council until his retirement in 1988.

A timeline of major milestones is:

1961

Formation

1963

Proposal to Brisbane Council for Education requesting an official channel for lay people to speak with the highest authorities, church and state

1964

Request to the Ecclesiastical Authority to establish a Provident fund

1965

First access to some items from State Stores for Catholic schools

 

The Bishops Standing Committee was formed and authorised to speak with the State Government re the funding of Catholic schools.  The committee comprised a representative of the bishop from each diocese and the Archdiocese and a representative of the Federation

1967

All articles were made available from State Stores to Catholic schools at government stores prices

 

Australian bishops set up the Federal Catholic Schools Committee (FCSC), the first attempt to co-ordinate lobbying efforts of all states in pursuit of 'state aid'.  A representative from the Bishops Standing Committee attended the federal meetings

1968

The state government budget announced that primary school children attending non-government schools in Queensland would receive $25 per head

1969

Improvement to federal and state per capita grants

 

Launch of the Archdiocese Development Fund

1970

Federation introduced a new constitution establishing diocesan Parents and Friends committees with State Council membership being drawn from the Archdiocese and all country dioceses

 

State and Commonwealth governments agree to 20 per cent of government school costs as matching grant to non-government schools

1972

State Council introduced new social and political issues onto the P & F agenda.  P & F Associations urged to become more involved in the educational life of the school and to make parents aware of other cultural and societal changes impacting on the schools e.g.  parent-teacher relationship, problems of the 'generation gap', the growing threat of drugs, the place of sport in school life, students and parish life

 

The first commonwealth government funding for capital purposes was agreed to by the Fraser ministry in the McMahon government, available only after the formation of the CSC in 1973

1973

Establishment of the Commonwealth Schools Commission (CSC)

  • Federal per capita grants ceased
  • Introduction of funding by categories on a needs basis
  • Capital funding for non-government schools commenced
 

The Australian Parents Council (APC), successful in persuading the Senate to include in the Commonwealth Schools Commission Act 1973 the right of parents to choose a government or non-government school

1974

Federation presented a submission on funding and parent concerns to the Commonwealth Schools Commission

 

The first meeting between the Commonwealth Schools Commission and the Federation

1975

Federation Chairman invited to membership of the Commonwealth Schools Commission Advisory Board in Queensland

1976

Regular negotiations with Commonwealth and State governments was now the order of the day

 

Continual gains were being made from all governments with other important assistance being won in addition to recurrent grants

State

  • Interest assistance on loans for school buildings 
  • Some assistance was provided by way of transport subsidy, 
  • Assistance for isolated children, 
  • Book allowances

Commonwealth

  • Capital Grants Program
  • Disadvantaged Schools Program (DSP)
  • Priority Country Areas Program (PCAP)
  • Special Education Program

1977

Federation's representation expands

1979

The Queensland Intersystemic Parents Committee was formed bringing together in a formal manner representatives of the Federation of P&F Associations and the Queensland Council of Parents and Citizens Associations

1980

Mr Jack Woodward retires. (State Secretary since foundation of the Federation in 1961)

1981

The State Council of the Federation resolved to establish a permanent secretariat and appoint a full-time Executive Officer

1982

The first Executive-Officer, Mr Leo M Dunne was appointed and commenced in office from the beginning of January.

1983

Bob Hawke led a Labor government to power in March and Senator Susan Ryan became the Commonwealth Minister for Education. Decisions by Senator Ryan caused a great degree of nervousness in the non-government school sector e.g.

  • Reduced funding to 41 schools
  • Removal of the non-government parent representative from the CSC 
  • CSC membership given to Australian Teachers Federation Chairman, 
  • Break in the nexus between non-government school grants and government school costs

1984

The Federation becomes part of the Bishops Standing Committee and works in a very close partnership with the Queensland Catholic Education Commission

 

Following persistent lobbying by the Federation, the 1984 state budget and a commitment by the Government for 1985 were the best result for many years, including

  • A four per cent increase in per capita grants in 1984-85 and 1985-86
  • Interest assistance improved
 

Achieved improved funding arrangements at commonwealth level following numerous meetings and consultations with key Ministers

1985

Executive Officer was invited to membership of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)

2000

Federation incorporated