About us

The Early Childhood Australia SA Committee is organised by an active group of volunteers who advocate for young children and families and provide leadership in the early childhood education and care profession. The committee includes members from the community and a range of organisations, including the education, care and health sectors. As a peak early childhood organisation, government and non-government agencies seek advice from our committee to contribute to and comment on early childhood issues and policies that affect young children and their families.

Committee Executive

Chairperson Susan Jackson
Deputy Chair Eleanor Behrens
Treasurer Joan Gilbert
General Member Jodie Stribling
General Member Amy May
General Member Rachael Hyland
General Member Italia Parletta
General Member Tania Mahoney
General Member Stephanie Palmese
General Member Michelle Heath
General Member Suzanne Russell

Committees with Representation

The state government and other key decision makers regularly seek our involvement in reference groups and our opinions on projects and programs for South Australian children and families.

ECA SA Committee is represented on the following committees:

  • The Committee for the Lillian de Lissa and Jean Denton Memorial Trusts Committee (Rosemary Green)
  • Australian Professional Standards for Teachers – Teachers Reg Board Future Directions Early Childhood Reference Group – (Joan Gilbert)
  • Council of Education Associations SA (CEASA) (Susan Jackson)
  • University of South Australia –Programs Advisory Committee (Susan Jackson)
  • Early Learning Everyone Benefits Campaign Reference Group (Sue Dahlenburg)
  • The South Australian Collaborative Childhood Project Governance Group – (Kate Ryan)
  • Re-imagining Childhood Birth to Three years Project Leaders Group (Joan Gilbert)
  • Margaret Trembath Research Fund – Lesley-Anne Ey & Margaret Sankey
  • Australian Council on Children and the Media (ACCM)(Melaine Crabb)
  • Supporting ECA SA Networks (Margaret Sankey)
  • Inclusive Play Working group (Marilyn Clake)
  • Initial Teacher Education Advisory Board, Flinders University (Joan Gilbert)

Speak up for Children

The ECA SA Committee Executive is committed to the promotion of the rights and wellbeing of all young children. Part of that work is reviewing and providing feedback on current policy, legislation and papers.

Recent responses submitted:

  • Child Development Council SA – Framework for Children and Young People
  • SkillsIQ – CHC Training Package Review: Early Childhood Education and Care – Draft 2 Validation Feedback

 

Build Social Capital 

Reconciliation

Our Committee is a member friend of Reconciliation South Australia. A table of ECA SA Friends attended the Reconciliation SA’s annual Apology Breakfast on 13 February 2020 to honour the Survivors of the Stolen Generation.

Suzanne Russell, ECA SA committee member and Helen Connolly, Commissioner for Children and young people

The Welcome to country was given by Kaurna elder and ECA Committee committee member, Suzanne Russell. Following is committee member Kate Martin’s reflection on the morning:

Attending this year’s apology breakfast was a moving and encouraging experience. Encouraging to see such a wide variety of community represented and supporting reconciliation. The music from local Aboriginal singer songwriter Vonda Last and Adelaide composer and jazz violinist Julian Ferraretto was beautiful and evoked many different memories and emotions. The way in which The Hon. John Hill, former Independent Assessor of the Stolen Generations Individual Reparation Scheme, presented his findings and his reflection on over 30 individual stories from stolen generation survivors was a beautiful way to show the complexities of the report.

This was my first experience hearing Uncle Jack Charles present, what a national treasure! The stories and memories shared were genuine, moving and at times humorous. He talked about growing up as part of the Stolen Generations and now his dedication in mentoring and guiding the younger generations of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous young Australians. I could have listened to his storytelling all day! A powerful morning on many levels.

Position ECA for long term success

Each year, the committee offers a new early childhood graduate an ECA Award. This year, the University of South Australia offered the ECA award to Courtney Irrgang

Lillian De Lissa Grant Program

The Lillian De Lissa Trust welcomes applications from early childhood partnerships for research or inquiry projects that would be for the ‘benefit of children in South Australia’. The Grant will be promoting the highest possible standards in the provision of early childhood education (children between birth and 8 years).

Eligibility
To be eligible for the Lillian de Lissa Trust Fund Grant, partnerships interested in applying must:

  • include two or more early childhood partners
  • include at least one partner with an early childhood qualification
  • include one partner with demonstrated research capacity and leadership.

Grant Value
The funding available for the Lillian de Lissa Trust Research grant for 2023 is $300 000. The total project cost must be up to this amount (less in-kind contributions and other cash contributions).

For details and applications please visit:
Lillian de Lissa Trust Fund 2023 Round – Department for Education
(smartygrants.com.au)

CLOSING DATE: 5:00pm 12 May 2023

Margaret Trembath Scholarship

The ECA SA Committee invites applications for the Margaret Trembath Scholarship for 2022 from individuals or organisations in Australia who are working in the field of early childhood (birth to eight years).

The Scholarship is available to support research in young children’s learning, development and/or wellbeing. The value of the scholarship is up to a maximum of $20,000 (tax exempt).

The research should inform the early childhood profession and benefit early childhood education and care in Australia. The successful applicant must obtain ethics approval and will be expected to write a publishable report and present their findings to the ECA SA Executive Committee.

Applications closed

Reclaiming What Matters in Early Childhood Online Learning Series

The Early Childhood Organisation of South Australia, Early Childhood Australia SA, Nature Play SA and the Preschool Directors Association of South Australia are proud to launch another collaborative project: Reclaiming What Matters in Early Childhood.

Over the course of the collaborative project that will extend into 2023, we are coming together to plan a series of professional learning sessions that will have a strong focus on the five domains of child development:
• physical health and wellbeing
• social competence
• emotional maturity
• language and cognitive skills (school-based)
• communication skills and general knowledge.

Contact

email: ecasa@earlychildhood.org.au