Cairns Radio Branch was formed in 1975 by Mark Stoneman, who was the inaugural President for 5 years. At the time the branch covered about 30% of Queensland, from the islands to our north, west to the Hughenden area and south to the Mackay hinterland and reached in excess of 130 members.
Today our branch still covers the north to the Torres Straight Islands, west to Karumba and south to Cardwell and Gilberton. Our members are geographically isolated, medical and home schoolers in rural and remote locations across Far North Qld. In 2013 a motion was passed, and our name was changed to "Far North Qld" branch.
Our members connect once a month via Zoom due to our vast catchment. We are always on the look out for new members to join us in supporting our rural and remote families in the great Far North to improve access to quality education and support.
Our branch held a Federal Conference in Townsville in 1984 and has hosted two State Conferences, the first in Cairns in 1992 and the second in Atherton in 2003. We are set to host another State Conference in Atherton in 2026!
Over the years the branch has had several representatives on Queensland State Council:
Mark Stoneman
- Committee Member 1975 - 1978
- Vice President 1978 - 1980
- President 1980 - 1982
- Immediate Past President 1982 - 1986
- Federal Executive, Committee 1979 - 1982
- 1980 Branch Life Membership
- 1999 Certificate of Appreciation, Queensland Council
- 2002 Life Membership ICPA Qld Inc.
Valerie Nixon
- State Councillor 1981 - 1983
Geraldine Murphy
- State Councillor 1983 - 1988
Penny Wallace
- State Councillor 1985 - 1987
Robyn O'Brien
- State Councillor – Specific Needs Portfolio 2023 - 2025
Branch Life Members
- Mark Stoneman (also State Life Member)
- Jenny Ford
- Alison Murphy
- Don Neuendorf
- Margot Nimmo
- Clair O'Brien
- Karen Pedersen
- Gail Truelove
