Welcome to the Cloncurry Branch!
The Cloncurry branch was formed on the 9 July 1975. Mrs Pearl Langdon, a member of Queensland State Council addressed those present. The inaugural executive included:
- President – Mrs Kath Batt,
- Secretary – Mrs Christine McDonald
- Treasurer – Mr William Gilmore
Mrs Patricia (Trish) Mitchell OAM was the Cloncurry Branch President from 1980 – 1982, before serving as Queensland State President from 1982 – 1986. Trish was a Federal ICPA Councillor from 1982 –1985, and she served as Federal ICPA President from 1985 - 1988. In 1987, Trish was awarded Life Membership of the Cloncurry branch, and on Australia Day 1996 Trish received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to rural education and the arts.
To this day Trish continues to be an outstanding inspiration, mentor and role model for our organisation, and she is currently the Patron for Queensland ICPA Inc.
Members who have served on State Council:
- Patricia Mitchell OAM (1977 – 1991)
Members who have served on Federal Council:
- Patricia Mitchell OAM (1982 – 1988)
The focus of our branch has been on our children's education. To this end members have been actively involved in the Mount Isa School of the Air community. (Historically, this school base began in Cloncurry, in 1960 before relocating to Mount Isa a couple of years later.) Many of our mums are their children's home tutor throughout their primary school years. When possible our branch has organised an art workshop or sports afternoon to complement what the school provides so that our children are minimally disadvantaged by their geographical isolation. We join forces with our colleagues of the McKinlay ICPA branch for these events. We are also grateful to our friends of the Mount Isa ICPA Branch of the Air for including our branch's children in their annual Sports for Bush Kids.
Each year our branch provides a "smoko" tent for the two days of the Cloncurry Agricultural Show. This tent serves three purposes. First, it promotes the work of ICPA. Second, this tent, which branch members set up with tables and chairs, offers a place for show goers, especially the district's senior citizens, to rest their weary legs and catch up with friends. Finally, it is a fundraiser for our branch with members donating cooking and their time. Over the years we have also has raised funds by catering at other functions, such as the Elrose Bull Sale. Like our ICPA peers throughout Australia most of our members are both hard working and great cooks!
In 2001 and 2015, the Cloncurry Branch hosted the ICPA State conference. This was a task accomplished through the careful planning and work of the executive and branch members at the time. Each year our branch tries to provide financial support for State and Federal ICPA conferences.
Cloncurry is located in North West Queensland with most of our branch members living on properties some distance from town. The local community is supported by the beef and mining industries as well as tourism, with tourist numbers peaking during the winter months. Visitors are welcome any time of the year but summer is hot, so most people prefer our winters. Cloncurry's John Flynn Place, which recognises the work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and our early settlers, and the Cloncurry/Mary Kathleen Memorial Park and Museum are both worth a visit. There are also many events in the town and surrounds scattered through the year such as the Cloncurry Show, the Stockman's Challenge and the Cloncurry Merry Muster.
