Public Service Association of NSW

23/08/2026

The NSW Rural Fire Service is warning of an increased risk of grass fires this summer, with dry grass capable of carrying fires up to three times faster than a bushfire. With warmer months approaching, the RFS is urging communities to prepare now.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/know-your-risk

22/08/2026

𝐑𝐡𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐎 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐊𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

It’s National Science Week! 🔬🧪

Across NSW public schools, School Administrative Officers working in Science play an important role in bringing science lessons to life.

They prepare experiments and equipment, maintain laboratories, manage chemicals and materials, and help make sure practical science is delivered safely.

Their work gives students the opportunity to experience science, not just read about it.

"Science is important because it is the how and why everything works. Gaining knowledge through investigating and observing is wonderful.

"My role as a SAO in science is important in public schools because practical science is crucial in the delivery of a quality science education. Hands on investigations give public school students the opportunity to be inquisitive, explore and make connections.

"Public schools need their SAO in science in order to be able to deliver a quality science education," said Rhiannon.

22/08/2026

𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓: 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧

The war in Iran has kicked off the "largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market", and it's also drawn attention to something invisible to most Australians — we use a lot of diesel to keep this country running.

We crunched the numbers, and per capita, Australians use almost twice as much diesel as the United States.

From mining to growing food, diesel is needed in all economic sectors. There are only about 27 million of us, but living on this vast continent, it's unsurprising that transporting goods swallows the biggest portion of the fuel. The impact of the war was felt immediately; builders complained about delivery prices, and groceries became more expensive.

We currently have 36 days of diesel in the national stockpile, but the government is spending big to increase that number.

This year's federal budget included an $11.9 billion National Fuel Security Plan; $3.2 billion of that is to physically stockpile diesel and jet fuel.

The billion-dollar fuel security package aims to increase Australia's fuel reserves to last for 50 days.

But what if instead we worked out how to use less diesel?

What if some of that went to electric trucks?

READ MORE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-16/how-much-might-it-cost-to-electrify-road-freight/106956614

21/08/2026

21/08/2026

𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐏𝐎𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓: 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐢𝐭. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Parliament is often called "the bear pit," but for the people who keep it running, the reality is far more precarious.

In this episode, Troy Wright sits down with Senior Organiser, Anne Kennelly and PSA General Secretary, Stewart Little to discuss the historical inequities of the MOPS Act, the legacy of recent reviews, and the ongoing campaign to ensure parliamentary staff have the fair industrial rights, support, and protections they deserve.

LISTEN: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/psa-cpsu-nsw-podcast/id1475583837?i=1000784700417

21/08/2026

PSA members at Moree and Tamworth Community Corrections who met with PSA to discuss the current “DV Needs Public Services” campaign which is calling for a coordinated, publicly delivered system that ensures consistent, accountable and effective support for victim-survivors, replacing the current fragmented approach.

Our dedicated members in Community Corrections work directly with domestic violence offenders and join the call for an increase in funding for effective behaviour change service provision in regional NSW.

Members can support the campaign by sending their local MP a letter calling for the government to take action now!

www.DVNeedsPublicServices.com.au

21/08/2026

𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐡 𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 $𝟗𝟏𝟓𝐦 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦

The Australian
21 August 2026

The Public Service Association, which represents museum workers, says its members await the opening of the institution, and the renovation of the Ultimo site, “with equal parts excitement and trepidation”. “They are of firm belief that the collection of objects by the museum speaks for itself and while any opportunity to place them on public display is welcomed, they fear under the direction of the current leadership there has been an unnecessary and distracting focus on contemporary art commissions and corporate hospitality,” PSA Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright tells Culture. “They welcome the chance for themselves to be returned out of cold storage after three years in a warehouse, but more keenly anticipate the restoration of the Ultimo site to its former glory as the museum that was forgotten in this development.”

READ MORE: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/culture/powerhouse-chief-lisa-havilah-defends-divisive-915m-museum-against-fierce-criticism/news-story/19e923bf4715a2cac8cdbc1b1cf490c2

20/08/2026

𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬, 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐎 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

It’s National Science Week! 🔬🧪

Across NSW public schools, School Administrative Officers working in Science play an important role in bringing science lessons to life.

They prepare experiments and equipment, maintain laboratories, manage chemicals and materials, and help make sure practical science is delivered safely.

Their work gives students the opportunity to experience science, not just read about it.

"Science provides objective truth. It challenges nonsense. It underpins society's prosperity. Science theory can only be brought to life and properly understood by performing experiments. SAOs working in science facilitate experimental activities and help ensure they are undertaken safely," said Robert.

This National Science Week, the PSA recognises and thanks our SAO Science members for the important work they do every day in NSW public schools.

20/08/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢, 𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐒𝐀𝐎 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥

🧪 Why is science important?

Science is more than a school subject. It is the foundation of innovation, discovery and informed decision-making.

It teaches students to question, investigate, analyse evidence and solve real-world problems. The scientists, engineers, doctors, environmentalists and innovators of tomorrow often begin their journey in a school science laboratory.

Every practical lesson can ignite curiosity and inspire a future career. Investing in science education is investing in Australia’s future.

🔬 Why are Science SAOs so important?

Science SAOs are the professionals behind safe and successful practical science lessons in NSW public schools.

We prepare experiments, manage hazardous chemicals, maintain specialised laboratory equipment, conduct risk assessments and help ensure laboratories meet workplace health and safety requirements. We support teachers to give students engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

It is specialised work that carries significant responsibility. Every day, Science SAOs make decisions that help protect students, staff and school communities.

Yet Science SAOs across NSW continue to work without a recognised professional classification, consistent statewide training or a standardised role description.

National Science Week is a chance to celebrate scientific discovery, but also to recognise the dedicated Science SAOs working behind the scenes to make practical science possible.

We are proud of the role we play in public education. Our expertise, professionalism and safety responsibilities deserve proper recognition, training and career pathways.

Every great science lesson begins with a Science SAO. It’s time the role began with the training, recognition and professional classification it deserves

Paris Demetri
PSA SAO Science Delegate
Hunters Hill High School