Councillors

My name is Pania Turner and I am honoured to hold the role of the 28th President of the Western Australian Council for State School Organisations Inc (WACSSO), elected in September 2019.

I started with WACSSO in 2013 as the State Councillor for Esperance, however my connection to public education came long before that as parent of children being schooled in public education.

Being a parent of 7 children I have experience across a diversity of education options: primary, high school, district high school, SIDE, boarding at residential college and university. Each schooling experience has had its own rewards and specific challenges.

Although my home base is the Goldfields- Esperance Region as President I am proud to represent P&Cs across Western Australia. Our P&Cs support schools both large and small, metro based and out across the regions with each P&C striving to do their best for their school communities. It is my experience that although parents and families are diverse, we share the same desire for our children to be educated in schools and a public education system that will give children and young people every opportunity to achieve their potential.

Parents and carers are vital partners in education. Positive engagement with our schools enhances outcomes for our children. The P&C can provide an excellent platform where parents and community members may have a united voice on key topics, effect change, provide resources, and offer constructive feedback and solutions.

As WACSSO President I take the responsibility seriously to represent the voice of our affiliates. I seek to facilitate effective connections and networks and ensure that WACSSO provides good support to P&Cs helping them to engage well with their school communities.

If you would like to discuss any matters to do with WACSSO, parent organisations or education in Western Australia you can contact me by email or mobile.

I’m extremely grateful and privileged to be your WACSSO State Councillor for the Great Southern.

I have been an active member in my children’s school P&Cs since my eldest commenced Kindy in 2006. I have experience in the roles of P&C President, VP, convener of Canteen and fundraising committees on both primary and high school P&Cs. I’m currently a member of Albany Senior High School P&C and North Albany Senior High School/ Albany Secondary Education Support Centre P&C.

I’m a strong believer in connected communities and the importance of equality in our education settings. When parents work collaboratively, we can achieve great things for our children’s education. This has become more evident to me since becoming a WACSSO State Councillor, where I have been fortunate to have represented parent voices in many submissions and advocacy work.

My role as State Councillor is to support, listen and represent your voices on the issues and views in your P&C communities. Please reach out and let me know how I can assist your P&C. I’m available to attend your meetings and am contactable by phone or email. I look forward in hearing from you soon.

My name is Emilia Uzir.

I am a mother of 4 children, with two older sons at UWA and Curtin University, a daughter in the Ballet Program at John Curtin College of the Arts (JCCA) and my youngest one at North Fremantle Primary School (NFPS).

We moved to Perth in 2022 and ever since then I have been involved with JCCA & NFPS P&C Associations as an Executive Committee member. I am very interested in learning, while contributing my knowledge and expertise to P&C.

With my background as the founder of non-profit organisation that empowers youth for sustainable and regenerative practices, I am committed to working together with P&Cs in Fremantle and my aim is to assist any matters related to students and the school community, and be part of finding the best solutions.

With care and enforcement, I believe things will be done better and correctly.

Do feel free to contact me or drop me a line at my email address for assistance.

My name is Theresa Miloseseki and I am a devoted mother of two children. My journey as a volunteer began at the age of 20 and it has been a continuous thread throughout my life, with varied roles and meaningful contributions. My early volunteering efforts took me to Samoa, where I cared for children with severe disabilities. My passion for advocacy is also evident in my volunteer work with organizations supporting families of premature babies and children.

My career initially flourished within an office environment, however, the early birth of my micro premature daughter necessitated a break from full-time employment. During this period, I balanced my responsibilities at home with part-time accounts work. More recently my children have faced new challenges that require me to once again put my career on hold whilst I navigate and support their significant interventions.

My involvement with P&C groups has been a big part of my community engagement. Initially active within the Catholic school sector in Perth, I later extended my contributions to the public sector when we moved to Hopetoun in 2020 and my children entered the public school sector. My role in Hopetoun Primary Schools P&C group has been multifaceted as Treasurer, Canteen Supervisor and general volunteer.

I firmly believe that every child has the right to a good and consistent education in a safe and nurturing environment. This belief drives my efforts and fuels my commitment to making a positive impact. I look forward to connecting with P&C groups across the Goldfields-Esperance region. I am eager to collaborate and achieve the many great initiatives that WACSSO has to offer in terms of advocacy and support.  I encourage open communication and invite all members of the P&C community within my region to reach out with any P&C-related discussions. I promise I am approachable and have a readiness to assist where possible and look forward to hearing from you.

My name is Nicole Mola and I am a member of Ashdale Primary’s P&C. I have one child in the early years of primary school.

I am passionate about learning and education. For much of my working life, I have been in the public education system and the corporate world of learning and development (L&D).

I am originally from Canada and moved to Australia as a teen with my parents and brother. Perth has been our home base, though I did spend some time teaching in Carnarvon, Geraldton, and the UK.

Volunteering seems to be part of my DNA. I’ve done a range of things – from an adoption association rehoming greyhounds, visiting sick kids in the hospital through the Radio Lollipop program, and acting as a proofreader and contest judge for a writing association. My efforts took a back seat in the early years of becoming a parent, but as my daughter has reached school age, I’ve become more active in the volunteering space again. I am the secretary for our P&C, a member of the school’s board, the manager for my daughter’s teeball team, and now with WACSSO

As the State Councillor, it is my role to represent the opinions of affiliates within the Joondalup East electorate. You can expect to hear from me to ask about your ideas and opinions on issues that are being dealt with by the WACSSO’s State Councillors. In turn, as I am the local contact person for WACSSO, you are more than welcome to contact me with any questions or feedback you have.

My name is Paula Steenson and am a member of Waggrakine Primary School and Geraldton Senior High School Parents and Citizens’ Associations.

With 3 children, the eldest in Year 11, second child in year 5 and my youngest heading into Kindy in 2020, I am kept busy with running around after them as well as my P&C commitments, membership of 2 school boards as well as numerous sporting committees throughout Geraldton.

As the WACSSO State Councillor, it is my role to represent the opinions of affiliates within the electorate. As such, I will be in regular contact to ask your opinion on issues that are being dealt with by the State Council of WACSSO. I am also the local contact person for WACSSO, therefore if you have any questions about WACSSO or its activities then please feel free to contact me.

My name is Nasim Salakjani, and I am a member of Wellard Primary’s P&C. I have two children currently in Year 6 and Year 3, and my youngest will start kindergarten in 2027.

Originally from Iran, I moved to Australia, and Perth has become my home. I am educated in metallurgical engineering and also work as a transformational coach. Learning and education are truly dear to my heart. Since the age of 20, I have been teaching and mentoring students of all ages, up to the university level. I believe education should be accessible to everyone, as it has the power to transform lives and create opportunities for future generations.

Building and developing communities are my other passions. My dedication to community drives my involvement in various clubs and community groups. I am also a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, valuing what we share while respecting our differences.

As a WACSSO State Councillor, I represent the views of affiliates within the North Peel electorate. I’m here to listen to your ideas and concerns, ensuring every voice is heard and our community’s needs are addressed. I will take every opportunity to discuss these with affiliates. Please feel free to reach out with any feedback or questions.

Vivienne is a member of the Riverside Primary Schools ESC School Board as a community member since 2023. She is also a Financial Member on three P&C Committees in her Electorate.

Vivienne’s volunteer journey began in 1998 when her eldest daughter began primary school; she joined the Parents & Friends Association, where she acted as Secretary and Fundraising Convener. She also gained her Canteen Managers qualification through WASCA in 2003 and was employed by the school.

She has always been pro­active in supporting her children’s schools, volunteering wherever possible and building positive relationships with staff and other parents. Her volunteer work also extends outside the school sector, as she enjoys giving her time to the community.

Vivienne’s introduction to WACSSO began in 2014 when she attended her first P&C meeting at Riverside Primary Schools P&C Committee AGM and nominated for the President’s role. She was the first Education Support Centre parent to be involved in the P&C as well as holding an office bearer position.

Vivienne’s aim as State Councillor is to share all the experience and knowledge that she has gained over the years with all the affiliates in her electorate. And as Vivienne likes to say, she may be only 4 feet 11, but has a big personality which makes up for the lack in height!

If invited, she would be happy to attend one of your P&C meetings to introduce herself and to explain the role of WACSSO or answer any questions you may have regarding P&C matters.

I am pleased to be your Councillor for Perth South. I believe every child in WA has the right to a high-quality education, and that the collective voice of parents is essential in achieving that goal.

I’ve been involved in P&Cs for many years, and have held the positions of general member, Executive Committee member and Treasurer. Being a P&C member is a great way to contribute to your school and community and to develop rich friendships and local support networks.

My role is to represent the views of Perth South P&Cs and to support good governance practices for strong, effective and sustainable P&Cs. I’d love to hear from you about the great work your P&C is doing for your school. You’re welcome to invite me to a P&C meeting to hear more about WACSSO’s work supporting P&Cs and advancing public education in WA. Feel free to get in touch if you ever need a sounding board on any and all things P&C.

Thanks for the positive difference your P&C continues to make to public education and your local school community.

I am a Dianella Heights Primary School P&C member and proud to be your State Councillor for Swan West. I have three amazing little ones who are in Kindy, Year 1 and Year 3. I keep myself busy being a mum, volunteering as President of the Dianella Heights Primary School P&C and running a small business from home.

I feel fortunate to be part of a great school and use the knowledge and experience this gives me in my role as State Councillor. I am guided by our educators to understand and appreciate the needs of the school, teachers, children, and staff. I am passionate about schools and the wider community working together as a team to produce better outcomes for our children within the public school system.

As the WACSSO State Councillor, I represent the opinions of affiliates within my Swan West electorate. As such, I will contact you regularly to ask your opinion on issues that are being discussed by our WACSSO State Council.

If invited, I would be happy to visit your P&C Association to introduce myself and learn about your achievements, goals, and challenges.

I am a Parkfield Primary School P&C member and proud to be your State Councillor for the South West. My P&C journey began when my son started Kindy; what began as helping out quickly turned into the role of President, and I have loved being able to support my school community.

I have been connected with Public Education all my life, both as a student, teacher and parent, mostly in regional areas. This background has given me valuable insight into the unique needs of schools, teachers, staff, students, and parents. I am grateful to bring this knowledge and experience to my role as State Councillor.

I strongly believe in the pivotal role parents play as partners in education. By working together, we can enhance our children’s learning experiences. My objectives include fostering an inclusive environment for all students, and advocating for the voices of regional families on key education matters.

As a WACSSO State Councillor, I look forward to working with the affiliates in the South West Region. I am keen to support, listen and represent your voices on the issues and views in your P&C communities. Please feel free to reach out for any assistance your P&C may need. If invited, I would be delighted to visit your P&C Association to introduce myself and learn about your achievements, goals, and challenges.