Who we are
ECA New South Wales is a dedicated committee working with regional groups to reflect the advocacy needed for people working in Early Childhood Education and Care throughout the whole of NSW. ECA NSW works with ECA National to advocate for high quality Early Childhood education and education through our work with governments on all levels.
Our committee
| Chairperson | Carol Burgess |
| Deputy Chair | Natalie Grenfell |
| General Member | Nicole Denzin |
| General Member | Kate O’Hara-Aarons |
| General Member | Anita Jovanovski |
| General Member | Chris Legg |
| General Member | Emily Caska |
| General Member | Laura Sportelli |
| General Member | Rebecca Lester |
| General Member | Daniel Freeman |
| General Member | Rachael Sydir |
| General Member |
Amy Shine |
Regional Representatives
| Hunter | Lyn Connors |
| Illawarra/South Coast | Melissa Wicks |
| New England | Tracey Dooner |
| Riverina | Tracey Snow |
| Far North Coast | Maree Mauer |
| Western Region | Katherine Wilson |
| Western | Kelly Tribolet |
| Central Coast | Selma Wastell |
| Cumberland District | Laura Sportelli |
| Mid North Coast | Shannon Colville |
What we do
- Our committee oversees 8 regional groups including Sydney metro. The committee works with these groups ensuring there is representation across the whole of NSW.
- The committee meets monthly. Regional groups meet as decided offering networking and professional development opportunities for members.
Ongoing initiatives
Strengthening regional connections
- Regional groups create space for shared learning, local partnerships and community-based solutions.
Committee representation:
- National Disability Insurance Agency
- Early Childhood Advisory Reference Group
- NSW Education Standards Authority
Local professional learning and peer networking
- Groups run (or host) regionally relevant events—conversation evenings, workshops, forums—so members can connect, share practice, and access PD without needing to travel to Sydney. NSW branch newsletters explicitly describe regional groups delivering events tailored to local needs.
Regional advocacy that aligns with ECA priorities
- Regional meetings often include discussion of current ECA advocacy priorities and ways to “build on ECA’s advocacy work” in that area (e.g., rights-based approaches, quality improvement, emerging reforms).
Member mobilisation and representation
- Regional groups help extend ECA’s reach by encouraging participation in consultations, sharing calls-to-action, and strengthening ECA’s legitimacy as a membership-informed peak body. ECA describes submissions and statements as involving consultation with membership and the sector.
Contributing to state and national planning
- NSW communications note regional groups have been asked to develop regional action plans linked to the national strategic plan priorities—so local activity is explicitly aligned to ECA’s strategic direction.
Achievements and impact
ECA NSW works in a regionalised model with many regional group achieving networking and professional development opportunities. ECA NSW committee also advocates for NSW Early Childhood policy through frequent meetings with the NSW Department of Education.
Connect with your NSW committee
