Welcome to the Nebo Branch!
Established 13th November 1977
BRANCH HISTORY
In 2022, the Nebo Branch will proudly celebrate being involved with ICPA for 45 years!
The formation of the Nebo branch ICPA was the outcome of a meeting convened by Mr John Onley, on 13 November 1977. The inaugural meeting was attended by twenty-one local and supporting district parents, who were interested in the work that ICPA was already doing for the education of isolated children. Guest speakers were Mr. Mark Stoneman and Mr. Lach Tindall, who were members of the ICPA State Executive. They discussed the association’s achievements, objectives, finances, and answered questions posed by the meeting. In response to the information received the Nebo ICPA Branch was formed, and the first branch executives were:
- Mrs Mary Stuart (President)
- Mrs Marj Baulch and Mrs. Lyn Scantlebury (Vice Presidents)
- Mrs Carol Cunningham declared Secretary/Treasurer on a temporary basis. Mrs. Gwen Thompson filled this position later on.
Annual Fees were set at this inaugural meeting being - $10.00 ($5.00 Branch, $2.00 State and $3.00 Federal)
Nebo remains at present a strong and active branch, both locally and with the State Council. It enthusiastically encourages new families with early childhood issues right through to those with tertiary issues, to attend branch meetings and to become ICPA members. The Nebo branch has a large catchment area taking in a huge geographical area within the Isaac Region which includes the towns/areas of Nebo, Glenden, Coppabella, and Valkyrie, as well as many smaller places in between. As we have a lot of members travelling long distances to attend meetings, it was decided to alternate meetings between Nebo, Coppabella and Valkyrie throughout the year. This shares the burden of travelling between members.
Since our formation we have tried to assist both State and Federal Councils in their endeavours to improve the education of isolated children, by making annual donations. To date our branch has donated many dollars to both State and Federal council. We also try to financially assist other branches, whenever we see a real need.
BRANCH SUCCESS STORIES:
- Nebo Branch purchased of a photocopier for the Lone Members Portfolio, when the State Councillor for this portfolio lived in Coen. This same machine moved around the state as different councillors took on the position of Lone Members Portfolio leader.
- Nebo Branch sent Carmel Chalmers to ‘Fremantle’, Western Australia, and paid her return airfare when she put in her bid for the position of Pedals Editor. Carmel changed the look of our Federal magazine to the successful, informative print that it is today.
- Nebo branch, with the willing assistance and support of surrounding branches, has hosted two State Conferences:
- The first (15th Annual Conference) was held in Mackay at the Ooralea Race Course on 16th and 17th October 1986.
- The second (26th Annual Conference) was held in Yeppoon at Capricorn International Resort on 14th and 15th October 1997.
The success of these conferences proved that distance, size and location of the branches, holds no barriers. Thank you to neighbouring branches for the support at both conferences.
- Nebo Branch hosted the State Councillors' Regional meeting in Nebo on the 23rd and 24th February 2002, which coincided with our branch's 25th Anniversary.
- Nebo Branch hosts a Biennial Variety Concert which brings the whole district together, and gives children and adults a chance to exhibit their talent. Since 1983, this concert has been a major fundraiser for the Nebo Branch and provides an opportunity for local schools, individuals and organisations to perform for their community, and present an enjoyable night of memorable moments.
Over the years, Nebo branch has been fortunate enough to have had, representation at nearly all State and Federal Conferences. Our branch plans to continue this trend in the future.
AWARDS TO BRANCH MEMBERS:
BRANCH LIFE MEMBERSHIP
- Mrs Susie Whitehead February 2002
QUEENSLAND PLAQUE OF APPRECIATION
- Mrs Susie Whitehead was presented at the Atherton Conference 2000 for commitment to isolated children’s needs and education.
Our record membership has reached 45 members and the branch continues to flourish due to strong leadership, a healthy membership and an energetic committee. In 2008, our branch was pleased to see younger members accept executive positions, and their drive, enthusiasm and positive attitudes, has encouraged more new members. These new executive members would also like to take this opportunity to thank the branch’s more wise and long time members, for their mentorship, assistance and encouragement.
AREAS OF CONCERN FOR OUR BRANCH:
Our branch aims to address the issue of equitable access to educational opportunities for all children in rural and remote Australia, and to ensure children are not disadvantaged by where they live in this great country. Areas of interest for our branch include all facets of education from pre-school to tertiary, as well as:
- Small schools and water resources for school grounds
- Teaching staff residences
- School Bus runs - getting them and maintaining them through times of lower numbers
- Greater telephone and internet connectivity
- Distance education
- Boarding schools
- Early Childhood Education and better implementation of the State Delivered Kindergarten program
- Allowances (associated with boarding at secondary and tertiary levels, and the conveyance allowance)
FUNDRAISING VENTURES
Nebo Branch volunteers people power in return for donation at the local Nebo Rodeo and we have been fortunate to become an annual beneficiary of the Nebo Bushmans Carnival Inc whereby they generously make a yearly donation to our branch in recognition of the valuable work and awareness of rural education our branch advocates for. We continue to cater at the local Campdraft, traditionally cooking the opening night competitors BBQ at the Nebo Slouch Hat draft. We are fortunate enough to have a long tradition of generosity from our local meatworks, Borthwicks, or a local family who donates all of the meat which means our fundraising goes a lot further.
In 2010, BMA generously assisted our Branch to purchase a cold room trailer which has since been in high demand within the local community and is the main source of our fundraising. The use of this cold room is also donated to neighbouring branches for use at various events which benefit our rural kids.
In 2019, ICPA joined forces with the Valkyrie SS P&C committee to fully cater the entire Nebo Slouch Hat Draft, again showcasing incredible homemade baking, freshly made smoko of lemonade scones jam and cream, proving an exciting and fresh menu with additions like fruit cups, Texas bbq pulled pork and pulled chicken and coleslaw burgers, a crowd favourite of the roast lamb spit night (meat very generously donated by a branch member family) smoko at the draft became a new favourite of the day with famous veteran announcer Trevor Shelly.
In 2021, we were proud to cook the opening night BBQ for the ACA National Campdraft Finals which were held in Nebo on the 6th April and demonstrated to a very wide audience the presence and work of ICPA. We also pride ourselves on providing burgers that are fully loaded with high quality steak, an array of salads and homemade coleslaw which is always a hit with competitors.
The Nebo Branch have been strong supporters of the nearby Clermont ICPA Sports Camp, sending our own members to the camp to assist with the day to day running, being camp cooks as well as providing financial assistance where possible. Children from our region are fortunate to have access to this incredible opportunity.
STATE COUNCIL REPRESENTATION:
- Mrs Susie Whitehead
- Mr Alex Stuart
- Mrs Penny Wallace (Our branch claims ownership of this councillor because she was a member of Mt. Coolan branch, before she became a member of the Nebo branch)
Nebo Branch warmly welcomes new members, and continues to be an active branch of the ICPA. The branch works towards one common goal, and that is to achieve the best possible education for our children. We are also proud to mention that many of our original branch members are still involved in the Nebo branch today.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our State and Federal Councillors for the wonderful job they do. We are grateful for all the time you give, your dedication and for continuing to persevere. Your hard work ensures that our association’s profile is well respected and is held in high regard by Government and Education departments. Our isolated children’s education has come a long way since ICPA began some 30+ years ago, but we know we cannot become complacent because there is still a lot of work to be done in order to ensure that all isolated children have equal access to education.
