AGY-4083 | Hunter District Council for Technical and Further Education

Full description

The Technical and Further Education Act provided for the establishment of a District Councils or Committees. The Councils consisted of the number of members prescribed by the Minister in Regulations. The role of the Committee was to promote and encourage the advancement of technical and further education within the District and to have any other responsibilities conferred upon it by the Minister. (1)

Regulations relevant to District Councils were published on 20 June 1975. (2) A principal of one of the Colleges in the District was to be an ex-officio member of the Council. (3) The other members of the Council were appointed by the Governor to represent the Hunter District community. (4) The staff of colleges in the district were not exempt from appointment to the Committee. (5) Members were appointed for four years and were eligible for re-appointment. (6) The Council met at least three time per year. (7) The Council elected its Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the former of whom was to preside at meetings if present. (8) A quorum one third of the members. (9) Voting at meetings was by simple majority, and the Chairman could exercise a casting vote if the votes were equal. (10)

The first Hunter District Council for Technical and Further Education comprising sixteen members took office form 20 April 1976. (11)

The Council was abolished by the Technical and Further Education Commission Act, 1990 (Act No.118, 1990) that repealed the Technical and Further Education Act, 1974 and failed to make provisions for the continuation of district councils.

Endnotes:
(1) Technical and Further Education Act, 1974 (Act No 72, 1974 s.26.
(2) Technical and Further Education Act, 1974. Regulation. Part III. College of District Councils or Committees. In NSW Government Gazette, 20 June 1975, pp.2384-5.
(3) Ibid. Clause 11 (3).
(4) Ibid. 11 (1) (b).
(5) Ibid. 11 (4) (b).
(6) Ibid. 11 (5).
(7) Ibid. 12 (1).
(8) Ibid. 12 (3) - (4).
(9) Ibid. 13 (1).
(10) Ibid. 13 (3).
(11) NSW Government Gazette, 23 April 1976, p.1768.