Join Greens MLC Abigail Boyd and local experts discussing the future of early childhood education in NSW.

Abigail Boyd, (MLC since 2019) is a powerful and highly effective voice in NSW Parliament, especially on childcare. She chaired a parliamentary inquiry into the early childhood sector, launched in response to harrowing ABC Four Corners exposés on abuse, neglect, and ECE regulatory failures.

Abigail has worked alongside teaching professionals, whistleblowers and investigative journalists to expose the flaws in Australia’s early childhood education (ECE) sector. She has led the national conversation on the perils of corporatising the care and education of the youngest and most vulnerable in our society.

A tireless defender of workers’ rights, Abigail has relentlessly pushed for progressive economic reforms that put people above profit.

Joining Abigail on the forum panel:

Margaret Gleeson - Managing Director, Keiraville Community Preschool

Margaret has taught in primary and early education since the 80s. In 2024, Margaret became one of six Independent Education Union Ambassadors at the Fair Work Commission, advocating for pay parity for community preschool educators and teachers. The Start Strong, Pay Fair campaign highlights the staffing crisis in NSW Community Preschools, a workforce exodus driven by inadequate state government funding and ECE wages and conditions 30% lower than other teachers.

Tara Leslie - CEO, Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre

A proud descendant of the Gamillaray and Yuin Nations, Tara has long worked in Aboriginal health, early childhood and governance. She is passionate about ensuring children get the kind of education and care they most need. Cullunghutti, in East Nowra, has pioneered an approach to support children and families living with significant stress and disadvantage, incorporating Indigenous culture and community leadership into providing children with education and wrap-around services in speech, counselling, and paediatric health.

Join Abigail, Margaret and Tara at our free community forum, with a light meal provided, to find out more about their critical work and ask the questions important to you about ECE across NSW and in the Shoalhaven.

Make your voice heard and support important and overdue change in the way young children are educated and valued.

The Greens are determined to keep fighting for an ECE sector that our children, families, and teachers deserve - one that puts the dignity, safety, and rights of children and professionals above profit.

Tuesday 16 June 5.30-7.00 pm at the Nowra CWA Hall for a light meal and to learn more about the work being done in NSW to improve the ECE sector, and discuss local solutions.

This event is fully wheelchair accessible. Level access from street and carpark and fully accessible toilet.

Please contact the event organiser with any accessibility requests as early as possible so that suitable arrangements can be discussed and organised where possible.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian will need to contact the event organiser directly to let them know there will be someone under 18 attending.

Date & Time

Jun 16th, 2026 05:30 PM through to
Jun 16th, 2026 07:00 PM

Location

Nowra CWA Hall
39 Berry St (near back car park)
NOWRA New South Wales 2541

Contact

Email:: membership@shoalhaven.nsw.greens.org.au

Your first name as it appears on the electoral roll

First Name *

Your preferred First Name if different to your first name on the electoral roll (optional)

Preferred First Name

Your last name as it appears on the electoral roll

Last Name *

Email *

Phone (mobile) *

If you have any accessibility requirements you can provide them below.

Accessibility Requirements

Are you or anyone registering for this event under 18? *

Yes

Providing your pronoun is optional

Other Pronoun

Event Fee(s)

Select the number of tickets you would like to purchase from the drop down menu below

NSW - Free Tickets

Under 18s: please ask your parent or guardian to register and pay for your ticket(s) using their name and details and contact the event organiser directly.

Total

Billing Name and Address

Billing First Name *

Billing Middle Name

Billing Last Name *

Street Address *

Suburb/Town *

Country *

State *

Postcode *

Pronouns

Please select your pronoun or select other and enter your pronoun if not shown

Perils of Profit: The Crisis in the Early Childhood Sector