At the beginning of 1971 Pat Edgley called a meeting of parents in Bourke to form an organisation to fight for a subsidy to save the local hostel. On 16th April 1971, the Isolated Children's Parents' Association was born and the fight for "access to education" for the isolated child began its over 50 year history. A further meeting was held two weeks later with Wally Mitchell being elected the first President, Pat Edgley the Secretary/organiser and Judy Jakins as Treasurer. The yearly membership was set at 50 cents.
Bourke Branch has been awarded six life members - Toni Ridge, Pat Edgley (deceased), Judy Jakins, Bob Ridge (deceased), Wally Mitchell & Rona Davis.
A majority of our branches’ fundraising comes in the form of catering at clearing sales and rallies. We are fortunate to have some dedicated members who attend conferences and present motions that are so important to our children’s education.
We pay tribute to those founding members and all they have done towards ensuring that rural and remote children have a voice about the equity of education they receive compared to their regional and metropolitan counterparts. The Bourke branch continues the work of those founders by supporting ICPA NSW and ICPA Australia and always welcomes new members.
State Conference was held in Bourke in 2003, for the 40th Anniversary of the founding of ICPA in 2012, in Bourke convened by Louth Branch in 2017 and Bourke Branch hosting 50th State Conference again in 2022.
Branch Life Members
Mrs Toni Ridge
Mrs Pat Edgley (deceased)
Mrs Judy Jakins
Mr Bob Ridge (deceased)
Mr Wally Mitchell
Mrs Rona Davis
