Balranald Branch celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021. In early 1971, the late Mr Jack Armstrong and the late Mr John McKeon attended an ICPA meeting in Bourke and returned home and organised a meeting, which resulted in the formation of the Balranald Branch.
A committee was formed and the first executive was John McKeon President, Jack Armstrong Secretary and Mrs Faye Dowling Treasurer. Fifty families, from Balranald, Oxley and Hay attended this meeting, thus showing the great need for such an association.
Balranald Branch has always been a very active and committed group and has worked with the ICPA movement to obtain the benefits we have today. ICPA has bought together many families from all areas where they have mutual worries and concerns for their children's education and has forged many special friendships and associations. Balranald Branch extends over a 200km radius, from Ivanhoe in our north, to Moulamein the south and across as far west as Euston/Wentworth. Being located within a ‘border area’, in recent years our branch has welcomed a number of members who live in Victoria.
The branch has hosted State Conference in 1999 and 2010.
Balranald Branch is set to host NSW State Conference in 2025, this time in Euston, convenors are Kathleen Harris and Claire Butler with a strong committee of supporters.
The branch has six life memberships, these being Jack Armstrong (dec), June Armstrong, Mary McKeon (dec), Mary Butler (dec), Marg Butler and Trish Williams. The commitment and loyalty they have given ICPA at a branch level over the years has been outstanding.
Balranald branch fundraise throughout the year to be able to send delegates to both state and federal conference by catering for clearing sales running an annual Footy Tipping Competition and hosting Wellbeing events. Balranald Branch donates annually to the Balranald Country Education Fund to supports local youth.
“Hatfield Happening” is now a huge event on our calendar each year. These days started out over 25 years ago as ‘Women’s Health Days’. The name change makes it more interesting, allowing us to hold many different types of workshops. Anything ‘happens’ at the Hatfield Happening! We hold very mixed days. One never knows fully what they’re in for. Ladies have been subjected to escapism workshops, photography, relaxation techniques, massage, handwriting analysis these are just to name a few.
The most recent day - a ‘’her horizons’ panel of local women sharing stories and tips on how to be a positive voice for community, was a wonderful example of how helping others gives us greater self awareness and confidence to build capacity in our communities. It is always a great day of Outback hospitality, where childcare is available from the Broken Hill Outback Mobile Resource Unit, allowing mums to have some time out for a few hours.
Funds raised at this important event go towards the Mary Butler School Book Awards, Country Education Fund in Balranald with future plans for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library for preschoolers in the entire shire, to help them get a strong start to education. With the recent mining and renewable energy booms in the region, the branch is strategically planning tangible ways to encourage those industries to implement programs to upskill local youth and our future fundraising efforts will concentrate on growing our own skilled workforce.
In 2008, Marg Butler stepped down from her long standing executive position and was given a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ by the branch. Marg has worked tirelessly for the branch over these years with dedication and enthusiasm.
In recent years, our branch has been very fortunate to have had a number of members take up positions on State Council. Mary Butler held the position of state secretary for a number of years before having to relinquish her role due to ongoing ill health. State Council honoured Mary with a ‘State Certificate of Appreciation’ at the Walgett Conference, 2007 for her absolute dedication and continual commitment to ICPA-NSW.
Over the years Mary held many executive roles at branch level and continued to encourage our younger members to embrace ICPA as she did. Mary died after a long battle with cancer on the 2nd July 2012 and is sadly missed by her ICPA family. Balranald Branch keeps Mary’s memory alive with our annual “Mary Butler Memorial Book Award, donated to 6 Public Schools and 3 Early Childhood/Mobile Resource Units in our membership area.
In 2007 Trish Williams took up the challenge to go on State Council at Walgett Conference. Trish held the position of Assistant Secretary and the portfolio of Rural Schools and Webmaster and retired from State Council in 2012. Trish was instrumental in bringing ICPA-NSW into the digital age with her webmaster work. Trish is well known for her role in catching all the highs and lows of ICPA-NSW on film. An amazing record of NSW State Council and conferences over the last five years has been taken on Trish’s camera and it is no wonder that Trish earned the title of Chief Photographer. In 2015 Trish was awarded Branch Life Membership at our Annual Hatfield Happening.
Fleur Turner elected to State Council in 2014 held the Communications Portfolio for two years and it is pleasing to see finally a long standing Balranald motion coming to fruition with the installation of a Telstra Small Cell tower near Clare Public School.
Claire Butler elected to State Council in 2015, over the years holding various positions Communications and Publicity Officer and State President, Claire remains on State Council as a mentor - Immediate Past President, Lone Members and Membership Officer.
Kirsty Wilson, current President of the branch is also a State Councillor and holds the Early Childhood Portfolio.
Branch Life Members
Mrs Mary McKeon (deceased)
Mr Jack Armstrong (deceased)
Mrs June Armstrong
Mrs Mary Butler (deceased)
Mrs Margie Butler
Mrs Trish Williams
