“The Social Justice Group has an interesting history. It arose out of a number of groups that were operating before 1995 focusing on Anti Bias issues. 1995 was the ‘International Year of Tolerance’ and a number of people within these groups were invited to get together to organise a conference addressing related early childhood issues within the ‘International Year of Tolerance’. The conference was a huge success, though more importantly, those of us who were part of the conference organising committee (Betty Hopson, Leonie Arthur, Kerryn Jones, Sandra Cheeseman, Louise Brennan, Chris Legg, Anthea Hotten) found that we really enjoyed working together. We were like minded people that had particular views around social justice issues and so we felt inspired through the organisation of the conference. At the completion of the conference we had a wrap up session where we wanted to evaluate the conference…and that’s how the group began”
SJIEC Annual Conference 2004: Throwing the baby out with the bathwater
1:4 Ratio for Babies - the Campaign begins in 2004
8 May 2004, public rally at Town Hall Sydney to Parliament House demanding better ratios for babies under 2 in children’s service.
1:4 Make It Law! 2008 Campaign
http://www.ccccnsw.org.au/ratios
The NSW Children’s Services Regulation (2004) for centre based or mobile children’s services suggest a ratio of 1:5 for children aged from birth to two years. Leading world expert Ron Lally calls this a “ratio for neglect”.
The 1:4 Task Force launched the 1:4 campaign on Wednesday 24 October 2007 at the Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University.
You can check out current campaign information, sign up as a 1:4 provider, pledge your support for the campaign and find the Taskforce Report at the 1:4 Website
Save the Teachers Campaign
State wide petition in 2004 demanding the retention of University Trained teachers in the Children’s Services Regulation consultation process.
Sexualities Forum 2007
Childcare Quality Assurance Public Forum 2007
Sea of Hands
Reconciliation Day Picnic 26 May 2000, Enmore Park, Enmore NSW
A Family is A Family - Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Float Entry
Social Justice in Early Childhood participation in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.
