It comes after education minister Adrian Piccoli took the extraordinary step in May of introducing legislation to dissolve the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations, saying he had been given no choice after continued “warring” within the group.

Mr Piccoli said the organisation had been given years to sort out its internal problems, which included both Lyall Wilkinson and Sharryn Brownlee claiming presidency of the federation.

Mr Piccoli appointed an administrator to take charge of restoring the federation, “both as a representative voice for parents, and also as an important service provider to school-based P&C associations”.

“I am delighted at the progress Mr Payne has made in reconstituting the organisation and I am confident that the federation will be serving its members autonomously and effectively by the time the period of administration ends in late 2014,” he said.

“I am also delighted that, despite any disruption at the federation, school-based P&Cs have continued their fine efforts to support schools and students, raising extra funds and providing a valuable forum for community feedback.

“Strong, effective parental engagement is one of the essential building blocks of a successful education system so I am very pleased to see the restoration of the federation, which has played an important role since it was established more than 90 years ago.”

Nominations for councillors and delegates for the reformed federation are now open until August 29, with one councillor and two delegates to be elected from each of the 16 new regions – including New England – established under the legislation introduced by Mr Piccoli in May.

Once a new governing body is elected, it will then select a seven-member executive committee to be responsible for the day-to-day running of the federation.