PSA Regional Organiser Tom Hooper is pictured above next to member Samantha Reid, who works as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at Stockinbingal Public School in the Riverina.

“Stockinbingal is a small public school near Cootamundra, where there are 11 students this year,” said Mr Hooper. “Samantha Reid works there as an SLSO two-and-a-half days per week. “She also works at Wallendbeen Public School again as an SLSO the other two-and-a-half days of the week.

“Unfortunately, Wallendbeen only has one student enrolled this term and if it does not get more enrolments it will probably close next term. Stockinbingal is also looking at a decrease in its enrolments over the next two years and could follow the same fate.

“There have been a few school closures as families leave the small country towns in search of work. The closures only make matters worse, sometimes causing small children to travel long distances by bus in the morning and afternoon.

“Booligal Public School closed last year, now the children have an hour bus ride, each way, into Hay. Other schools that have closed in my area in the last few years are Bekom, Collingullie, Rye Park and Carathool.”

PSA Industrial Manager Siobhan Callinan said the staffing model for rural and regional NSW needs to be adjusted to take into account population changes in the bush.
“Schools are a vital part of life in country NSW,” she said. “The NSW Government needs to be responsive to demographic changes and keep our communities alive.”