Balranald ICPA Access to Education

23/05/2026

16/05/2026

What a wonderful day we shared at the 2026 Hatfield Happening, with ladies travelling from all directions to spend a quality day together 💛

A huge thank you to the many generous local businesses, organisations and community members who helped make the day so special.

We would like to sincerely thank our major financial supporters, Rural Adversity Mental Health Program - RAMHP and Balranald Shire Council. Their support enabled us to purchase supplies locally and provide the event free of charge for participants, helping make the day accessible for everyone in our community.

A special thank you also to Hodi from Balranald Shire Council for doing a fantastic job as MC and helping the day run so smoothly.

Our beautiful gift bags were made possible thanks to the generosity of:
✨ Lee Gees
✨ Balranald Pharmacy
✨ Balranald Sports
✨ Image 101
✨ Beauty on Bidgee
✨ The Rustic Pear
✨ Aggie Patch

Thank you also to our fantastic raffle prize donors:
🎁 Koolaman
🎁 Julie Cullinan
🎁 Lisa Jolliffe
🎁 Murrumbidgee Petroleum

We enjoyed a delicious selection of salads and meats purchased locally at Balranald Foodworks and Balranald IGA — thank you for helping keep everyone well fed throughout the day.

A very special thank you to Balranald Hospital for providing the bus service, helping make the day more accessible for attendees and supporting community connection 💛

A big thank you to our wonderful stall holders:
🌿 Julie Cullinan with her beautiful potted succulents
🧢 Balranald Sports with a great selection of clothing
🌱 Local Land Services
💚 RAMHP

Thank you to the Salvos for providing the coffee van and helping create such a welcoming atmosphere.

We were also fortunate to hear from two amazing speakers:
💚 Bronte from RAMHP, who spoke about the importance of mental health, how it impacts us all, and practical ways to support and maintain good mental wellbeing.
💚 Talicia from NSW Health, Nutritionist/Dietician and Menopause Coordinator, who provided very informative and valuable information that was appreciated by everyone attending. Talicia also informed us about the Menopause Clinic she runs for Far West NSW and it's direct linkage into the Specialists at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.

Most importantly, thank you to our community members who quietly volunteer so much behind the scenes. Whether it was sweeping out the hall, setting up tables, fixing pipes, cleaning toilets, helping in the kitchen or lending a hand wherever needed — it was all noticed and deeply appreciated.

Days like this don’t happen without community spirit, and we are so grateful to everyone who played a part in making the 2026 Hatfield Happening such a wonderful day of connection, conversation and support 💛

30/04/2026

Book your FREE bus seat - with thanks to Balranald Hospital! Looking forward to a great day!

12/04/2026

our Hatfield Happening is on again for 2026, join us for a great day in the bush.

12/04/2026

We welcome all businesses to join us at Hatfield Happening, please reach out to the email address to secure your site.

09/12/2025

We are fortunate that down our “end” of the State, Yanco Agricultural High School is Co-Ed and gives remote families the option to have siblings of either s*x boarding in a government high school. We have attended conferences over the years where the call out has been loud and clear for an equitable Agricultural Boarding option for females somewhere in the North of NSW (Farrer only gave an option for males). It was always an interesting conversation and debate at conferences over the years and we wondered if a decision would ever be made for either a Co-ed OR a stand alone Girls Boarding option somewhere in the North of the State. Regardless of history and traditions, we congratulate all involved for embracing the challenge of change!
This is a great outcome for families who need a great government agricultural boarding option for both their boys and girls 👏 ICPA NSW Access to Education can tick another motion of their list! Roy Butler MP

04/12/2025

Applications for the ICPA-NSW Sporting Bursary close on 31 December - click on the link for more details - we encourage our Balranald members to apply now!

Annual Sports Bursary available for members

03/12/2025

Great to hear all the things that ICPA NSW are advocating for! This is to help ALL students in rural and remote areas achieve equitable access to education - including supporting teacher incentives 👏 well done to State President Annabel Strachan ICPA NSW Access to Education!
Fantastic to also hear that Annabel sits on the Premier’s Roundtable, a direct voice to the Premier on education issues!