Taree TAFE teacher at 2020 Summit
Monday 21st April 2008
Taree TAFE teacher, Susan Roberts, joined the nation’s best and brightest at the 2020 Summit in Canberra on April 19 and 20, 2008.
Mrs Roberts, who is head teacher of Child and Family Health Services at North Coast TAFE, beat thousands of other hopefuls in a ninemsn competition which offered an all-expenses paid trip for the person who submitted the best idea for discussion at the summit.
Her winning submission called on the Australian government to cease relying on overseas recruitment to meet skills shortages and implement strategies to encourage more Australians to study.
“To become a better Australia we need to become a smarter Australia,” she wrote.
”Further education should be accessible for all by offering more scholarships in areas of skills shortage.
“These scholarships should include a weekly allowance as well as covering fees (which) is preferable to incurring a debt from university fees.”
Mrs Roberts was one of 1000 delegates from around Australia who met in Canberra to discuss solutions to some of the country's most pressing issues including security, rural issues, social justice, indigenous affairs, the arts, productivity, the economy, governance and climate change.
“As a career teacher, I was really excited to be able to be a part of the decision-making process at such a high level,” Mrs Roberts said.
“I have 42 years teaching experience which means I was able to offer some valuable input.”
Mrs Roberts had been selected to sit on the Education steering committee at the summit.
Among the other delegates were media and gaming boss James Packer, former governor-general William Deane, aerial skiing gold medallist Alisa Camplin, actors Hugh Jackman and Cate Blanchett as well as former Victorian premier Steve Bracks.
The 2020 Summit was a Federal Government initiative aimed at helping to shape a long-term strategy for the nation's future.
