Welcome to the Winton Branch!
The Winton Branch was formed on 19 October 1972, following a public meeting held in the upstairs lounge room at the North Gregory Hotel. The inaugural office-bearers were President Noel Kennedy (Castle Hill), Secretary Kay Nicholson (Wongan) and Treasurer Peter Knowles (Namarva).
The Branch has a membership of 39 families, from the town and across the Shire. Members’ children from Prep onwards are involved in the Longreach School of Distance Education, Winton State School and St. Patrick’s School, as well as boarding schools and various tertiary institutions.
Winton Shire previously had several small schools at Corfield, Mahrigong, Mt. Campbell and Clio, as well as two bus runs into Winton, and student hostels from 1953 until 1989. However, a declining rural population has meant the end of these services.
Winton Branch aims to meet on a regular basis and send delegates to State and Federal Conferences.
The annual membership fee for Winton Branch is $65/family.
Winton Branch has been represented on State Council by:
- Bruce Collins from 1983 – 1990
- Helen Collins from 1983 –1990
- Emma Brodie from 2011 – 2015
- Sue Pegler 2013-2016
- Kate Bradshaw from 2018 – current
Life Members:
- Geraldine McKerrow
- Bruce Collins
- Helen Collins
- Emma Brodie
Highlights for the branch have been:
- Hosting a State Council meeting in Winton in 1983
- Hosting State Conference in 1995
- Celebrating its Silver Jubilee in 1997 with a gala dinner attended by more than 80 past and present members
- Hosting State Conference in 2009
- Celebrating 45years in 2017 with a luncheon including past and present members
- Hosting State Conference in 2018
- Celebrating 50 years in 2022 with an afternoon tea attended by past and present members and supporters, including a past member who had attended the public meeting to found the branch in 1972!
The Branch donates annual Speech Day prizes to the three local schools and sponsors the schoolwork section at the Winton Show. Winton ICPA continues to sponsor trainee teachers who undertake prac teaching in the Winton schools. Donations are also made to ICPA State and Federal Councils each year.
Major fundraising includes catering local field days and donning the ICPA aprons at various community events throughout the year.
