This document summarizes the proceedings of a national forum for persons with an interest in and commitment to research into issues affecting people living in rural and remote areas across Australia. The six sub-themes of the conference were: (1) the role of the community in teacher preparation; (2) the quality of education in rural Australia; (3) the role of the community in crisis; (4) creative responses to teaching and learning in rural Australia; (5) the remote Aboriginal Education Project; and (6) educational opportunities in post-compulsory education. A workshop format was adopted for the conference supplemented with keynote addresses and position papers. The product of the conference was a series of research proposals which address the sub-themes and which could be commissioned or encouraged by the Association or its members. Five keynote addresses, 9 position papers, and 14 research proposals are reproduced in these proceedings. A listing of conference participants is also included. (LP)