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About Us
50 Years of Supporting Families and Public Schools in the ACT
ACT Parents is the new name for a long-standing organisation with a proud history. Established in April 1975 as the ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations, we’ve spent five decades supporting public school P&Cs, representing families, and shaping the future of education in the ACT.
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Our Vision
Parents actively shaping and enhancing public education in the ACT.
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Our Purpose
Empowering parents to shape their child’s public education experience.
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Our Strategy
Support thriving P&Cs and create broader opportunities for families to shape education policy and practice.
Our advocacy is grounded in the real experiences of families.
We listen to P&Cs and school communities to identify key issues and work with government, media, and education stakeholders to create change. Whether we’re pushing for better resources, supporting inclusive policies, or raising the voices of underrepresented families, ACT Parents is committed to a stronger public education system for every child.
Equity
We advocate for fair access to quality education, support, and resources so every student can thrive, regardless of their background, needs, or circumstances.
Welcome and Inclusion
We work to ensure parents, carers, and students feel welcomed, respected, and able to participate meaningfully in their school communities and in shaping public education.
Empowerment
We build confidence by providing clear advice, practical guidance, and support that helps parents, carers, and P&Cs navigate the system and take action.
Community Partnership
We collaborate with parents, carers, P&Cs, schools, and stakeholders to strengthen relationships and create lasting improvements across ACT public education.
Led by Parents, for Parents and Carers
ACT Parents is led by a volunteer Executive of parents and carers from across the ACT public education system. Executive members share a strong commitment to public education and to ensuring parents and carers have a meaningful voice, including three Life Members whose long-standing involvement brings valuable experience and continuity.
As parents and carers themselves, Executive members understand the realities of supporting students, volunteering in P&Cs, and navigating school systems. Elected by members, the Executive sets strategic direction, oversees governance and finances, and guides advocacy priorities informed by member voices, working collectively and in line with ACT Parents’ values.
ACT Parents is supported by a small, experienced team who understand public education from the inside out. Every member of our team has volunteered in school communities, including in P&Cs, so we know first-hand the challenges parents and carers face.
We combine practical, on-the-ground experience with strong policy, governance and advocacy expertise. That means clear advice, realistic guidance and support that actually works for school communities.
We’re here to help parents and carers feel confident, capable and heard.
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Mahreen Ali
President
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Alison Elliott
Vice Persident
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Liane Joubert
Immediate Past President
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Kirsty McGovern-Hooley
Treasurer
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Vivienne Pearce
OAM
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Brendan Mace
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Sarah Rullis
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Sharon Ding
Our Annual Report
Each year, we publish an annual report that outlines what we’ve worked on, what we’ve achieved, and how we’ve supported parents, carers and P&Cs across the ACT.
It’s our way of being transparent about our work, accountable for the funding we receive, and clear about the impact we’re having in public education.
Our Constitution
Our constitution sets out how ACT Parents is governed, including our purpose, membership, and how decisions are made.
It provides the formal framework that guides our work and ensures we operate transparently and in line with our obligations as a not-for-profit organisation.
