Hello Readers,
To those that attended Federal Conference, I hope your time in Adelaide was both enjoyable and productive. By all accounts and through the coverage on social media, Federal Conference, as always, looked to be a time where members and stakeholders got to gather for a common cause. While I was disappointed to miss Federal Conference and catching up with new and old friends, I am already looking forward to 2026 Federal Conference, hosted by Queensland State Council, in my home town – the Gold Coast.
The October issue of Pedals is always jam packed and I thoroughly enjoy riding the post-conference high when compiling content. Thank you to everyone who has submitted content for this issue, both the conference related stories and the stories from our thriving bush communities across Australia are always appreciated.
There must be something in the water (or in the pen ink?!) in my little corner of outback Queensland. Amy Squires, a fellow Winton Branch member, has written a beautiful poem about the strong spirit and resilience of ICPA kids. In addition, Shona Larkin of Hughenden Branch, which is ‘just up the road’(210kms) from Winton, has also penned a poem about the mixed emotions felt by all at the annual boarding school drop off. You can find these poems on pages 33 & 34.
Not to outdo the adults, Livanna Leahy recently wrote about finding a home away from home and connected community within the boarding house at St Margaret’s AGS (Page 32). Having lived and worked in the St Margaret’s AGS Boarding House for 3 years myself, it was lovely to have Livanna’s poem find its way to my inbox through her Grandmother Royelene Hill (Katherine Branch Life Member).
As I write this in August, it seems premature to be wishing people a prosperous end of 2025 and a lovely Christmas season, but considering that the next time I put my Pedals Editor hat on to write, I’ll be writing for the January 2026 issue, I’m going to do just that – I hope that the remainder of 2025 is full of unexpected blessings and good times spent with those you love.
Until next time, Hannah Calcino
