Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia National Rural Education Conference July 2006 Hobart, Tasmania Conference Proceedings COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY and INNOVATION in RURAL and REMOTE EDUCATION and TRAINING Edited by Colin Boylan COMMUNITY, DIVERSITY and INNOVATION in RURAL and REMOTE EDUCATION and TRAINING Proceedings of National Rural Education Conference Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Edited by Colin Boylan Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Inc. PO Box 1766 Osborne Park Western Australia 6916 Copyright © Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Inc. 2006 ISBN 0 9775493 0 5 Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, 22nd Annual Conference ii Hobart, Tasmania- July 2006 SPERA Mission and Goals Mission The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia Incorporated (SPERA) links people with a diverse range of interests in education and training to promote the development of rural Australia by: • promoting a positive view of education in rural areas and encouraging innovation and initiative in the provision of rural education services; and • providing a framework for the sharing of concerns, issues and experiences relating to education and training in rural areas. Goals SPERA advances the education and training opportunities for all people in rural Australia by: • promoting State and regional delivery systems which bring about efficient and effective education for people in rural areas; • encouraging both the collection and sharing of relevant information on the provision of education in rural areas; • conducting an annual National Conference to exchange ideas and information about education and training in rural education; and • serving as a national advocate representing rural education and training. Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, 22nd Annual Conference iii Hobart, Tasmania- July 2006 President’s Welcome Message __________________________________________________________________ The Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, or SPERA as it is more commonly known, links people with a diverse range of interests in education and training to promote the development of rural and remote education and training in rural and remote Australia. SPERA, as a national, rural education and training organisation provides a strong forum through a wide raft of activities which encompass a national, annual Conference, quarterly cutting edge Rural Education Journals, the highly sought after Australian Rural Education Award and regular informative Newsletters which combine to celebrate and share the positive learning programs which are embedded in many rural and remote education and training institutions . The 2006 Conference with its theme of ''Excellence, Innovation and Diversity in Rural and Remote Education and Training'' gives participants the opportunity to participate in a deep level of sharing and networking on a national and international level. The quality keynote addresses and the workshop sessions on offer will provide opportunities for highly interactive forums for celebrating our students achievements, promoting innovative strategies and programs along with talking through and problem solving the challenges encountered by those who live and work in rural and remote Australia.. The overall Conference is pitched at rural and remote education and training practitioners who are actively engaged in their profession - those who have genuine ''credibility'' because they are ''out there'' and ''having a go'' in order to improve the outcomes for those involved in rural and remote learning communities. SPERA Conferences have a strong capacity for building national and international networks on a professional and social level. Thanks to the commitment and endeavour of SPERA executive members and Conference co-ordinators Kate Haddow and Colin Boylan. The Hobart Conference is located in the beautiful and scenic environment of Tasmania and will be no exception. The Conference Proceedings are also a substantial tool for continuing the sharing of strong and innovative practice throughout all rural and remote learning communities. Sincere appreciation is extended to Colin Boylan, Vice President of SPERA, whose efforts, energy and enthusiasm have ensured that the essence of SPERA's 2006 National Rural Conference has been captured in this quality document. I extend a warm welcome to all 2006 Conference participants and look forward to a high level of sharing and interaction within this highly valuable forum. Anne Napolitano SPERA President. Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, 22nd Annual Conference iv Hobart, Tasmania- July 2006 SPERA 2004/2005 Executive Members President: Anne Napolitano – Exmouth District High School, Exmouth WA 6707 Vice President: Colin Boylan – 4 Stinson St., Coolamon NSW 2701 Treasurer: Kym Benson – Unit 4 1 Windsor Road, Fremantle WA 6415 Secretary: Rosa Lincoln – P.O. Box 1766, Osborne Park WA 6916 Minute Secretary: Kane Benson - Unit 4 1 Windsor Road, Fremantle WA 6415 Bronwyn Ellis – 49 Ward St., Whyalla SA 5600 Kate Haddow – PO Box 616, Katherine NT 0851 Lyn Phillips – 13 Pine St., Kirwan QLD 4817 Don Boyd – 37 Joiner Ave., Melville WA 6156 Rebecca Tims - South Australia CHANGE OF ADDRESS Mail Address SPERA PO Box 1766 Osborne Park WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6916 SPERA Website SPERA has an informative website that allows both members and the public to view the variety of activities that SPERA conducts. The website can be viewed at www.spera.edu.au Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, 22nd Annual Conference v Hobart, Tasmania- July 2006 SPERA History SPERA emerged from a New South Wales in-service activity organised by Marie Dale in 1984. The activity brought together Marie Dale and Bob Meyenn, then Lecturer in Education at Riverina CAE, and the pair went on to organise a National Conference on rural education, which was held in Armidale, New South Wales in 1985. At this Conference, SPERA was endorsed as a national organisation and Marie became its foundation president. Concerned by the effect the ‘disadvantaged’ label was having on rural communities, Marie and Bob saw the need to establish a national organisation which would advance the positive aspects of rural life and rural education and celebrate the unique features of rural education. Around the time SPERA formed, CAP and DSP had been operating some ten years and rural communities were becoming conditioned to accept the ‘disadvantaged’ label in order to attract funds. It concerned Marie that these communities were locking themselves into such a negative mind set. SPERA is an organisation which celebrates the ‘doers’ in rural education and has promoted many wonderful examples of education excellence in schools, TAFE, universities, adult and agricultural education at its national conferences over the last 12 years. Its leadership has been shared by community people, adult educators, academics and school administrators from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania and more recently Western Australia. In 1991 SPERA published a journal, Education in Rural Australia with Colin Boylan as its editor. In its 10th year, SPERA launched the Australian Rural Education Award to acknowledge education achievements in rural Australia and celebrates SPERA’s commitment to advance the positive aspects of living, working and being educated in a rural community. SPERA has conferred life membership of two of its most ardent supporters: Mrs Marie Dale and Mrs Sheila King. In 2004, SPERA joined with WADHSAA to conduct a joint 20th National Conference in Fremantle, Western Australia. The theme of this joint conference was Working Together, Staying Vital. In 2005, SPERA conducted its 21st National Conference in Darwin, Northern Territory, with the focus Our Stories: Innovation and Excellence in Rural Education. For this year, 2006, the 22nd National SPERA Conference will be held in Hobart Tasmania during July 2006, with the focus Community, Diversity and Innovation in Rural and Remote Education and Training. Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia, 22nd Annual Conference vi Hobart, Tasmania- July 2006 Refereed Conference Papers For the 2006 SPERA Conference, presenters were able to have their paper peer reviewed by two people. A total of 14 papers were submitted and 10 conference papers were accepted for inclusion in the Conference Program and Conference Proceedings. The review committee for the 2006 Conference consisted of the following members: Dr Colin Boylan Professor Dennis Mulcahy Senior Lecturer in Education Faculty of Education Charles Sturt University Memorial University Wagga Wagga NSW Newfoundland Canada Dr Aniko Varpalotai Mrs Roslyn Brennan-Kemmis Associate Professor Senior Lecturer in Vocational Education Faculty of Education Charles Sturt University University of Western Ontario Wagga Wagga NSW Ontario Canada Mrs Sheila King Dr Keith Moore Faculty of Education Faculty of Education University of Southern Queensland Queensland University of Technology Toowoomba QLD Brisbane QLD Mrs Jan Martin Dr William Letts Faculty of Education Faculty of Education University of Waikato Charles Sturt University New Zealand Bathurst NSW Dr Russell Yates Mrs Rosa Lincoln Faculty of Education Department of Education Services University of Waikato Perth New Zealand Western Australia Professor Ted Munsch Dr Marsha Davis Alaska Pacific University District Superintendent Anchorage Lewis