As the peak body of NSW's early childhood education and care sector, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW welcomes new entrants and those interested in joining our ever-growing early childhood education and care (aka childcare) sector!
ACA NSW’s New Entrants Evening objective is to bring together sector leaders and experts to provide participants with invaluable insights into the sector, its opportunities, the challenges as well as introducing individuals and organisations that can assist and support your journey. We are also grateful to our partners and sponsors as without them, it would not be possible to conduct these events. We hope you find the evening inspiring and valuable, including the opportunity to meet and network with like-minded individuals and future partners and suppliers.
Our presenters and leaders will discuss:
Learn these and much more… and connect with sector leaders and suppliers too!
For this first New Entrants Evening of 2025, Bartier Perry and ACA NSW invite you to participate:
• on Thursday, 11 September 2025
• at Level 25, 161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD
Run Sheet
5.30pm Registration. Food & drinks upon arrival.
6.00pm Session begins.
6.05pm Sharon Levy (Bartier Perry) - introduction
6.15pm Lyn Connolly (ACA NSW) - sector overview
6.25pm Steven Griffiths (Bartier Perry) - legal overview
6.35pm Farah Georges (Design Cubicle) - architectural and local government process overview
6.40pm Gilbert Blandin de Chalain (HDC Planning) - town planning overview
6.45pm Interactive Q&A
7.00pm End. Food & drinks in the lounge area behind reception.
• COST is $30.00* per person (inc GST) (mainly to contribute toward hospitality)
• Drinks and a light dinner will be provided.
* NOTE: The ticket price can be credited towards the ACA NSW membership fee
upon becoming a member of ACA NSW. Attendees present will also receive
a 45% discount off our video training for the Approved Providers test.
$20 early bird tickets are available until COB Wednesday, 27 August 2025.
Presenters:
Lyn Connolly is the President of ACA NSW and an Approved Provider who has operated nine early childhood education and care services for over 40 years. She is also the elected President of ACA NSW, the peak body representing over 1,600 predominantly small-to-medium-sized, family-owned early childhood education and care services. These services employ more than 25,000 staff and educate and care for over 125,000 children and their families.
ACA and ACA NSW engage with all three tiers of government and their agencies — including Departments of Education, Treasuries, Planning NSW, the NSW Department of Health, Productivity Commissions, the ACCC, and more.
Gilbert Blandin de Chalain is an environmental and planning professional with over 25 years experience in planning and environmental management. He is the cofounder and Partner at Haskew de Chalain, T/A HDC Planning. Prior to establishing HDC Planning Gilbert was the Director at HUB Planning and principle of B. de C. Environmental Pty. Gilbert has worked in Local and State Government and has been in private practice since 2004.
Dennis Loether is the head of Bartier Perry's Planning and Property team. He is an Environment and Planning lawyer and has experience advising statutory authorities, local governments and private sector clients. His expertise cuts across all areas of planning and property law, as well as environmental issues. Over 20 years of practice in environmental and planning law have given Dennis a detailed technical knowledge. Because he has acted for both public and private sector clients, Dennis has the ability to understand competing arguments and see both sides of an issue, which informs his strategic advice.
Sharon Levy is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution & Advisory team. Acting for clients in varied industries and markets has enabled Sharon to develop tailored strategies in conjunction with her clients which are pragmatic, effective and commercial. With extensive experience and knowledge in general commercial disputes, Sharon also has a particular expertise in building and construction and strata disputes. Through working in boutique and mid-tier firms for over 15 years, she has experience acting for a diverse range of clients including builders, developers, sub-contractors, owners corporations, high net worth individuals and Councils. Sharon regularly appears in the District and Supreme Court, as well as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and prides herself on providing clients with exceptional results.
Farah Georges is a member of the BDA with full accreditation (#6006) as well as registered as a Design Practitioner with the NSW Department of Fair Trading. Farah started his career as a draftsman in some of the most prestigious firms in Sydney before opening his office, Design Effects, in 1990. Design Effects was one of most productive offices in NSW. After Design Effects, Farah moved to Skyton Development until 2005. He is now the director of DesignCubicle.
