Conference Keynote Speakers

It's A Man's Issue 

Dr Curtis Rayment is a JCU Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery. Born and raised on his family’s cattle property west of Winton, he now works in the Toowoomba Hospital as a junior doctor. He is a passionate consent educator, current Rangers, Downs and QRCU Heelers representative, a past North Queensland’s Brolga Senior Men’s Captain, and a past JCU RESPECT facilitator. In 2021 Curtis founded “It’s a Man’s Issue”. He and his good mate and colleague, Dr Jack Bryant, use their spare time to deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based and culturally sensitive workshops focused on consent, sexual assault, healthy relationships, toxic masculinity and active bystander training with resounding praise from participants and staff. For his efforts in 2023, he was nominated as Queensland Young Australian of the Year. By sharing their own experiences as young men from their time at university, in the rugby or AFL sheds, mustering camps and medical wards, they hope to educate and motivate other men to challenge their own behaviours and their mate's behaviours to become part of the solution instead of the problem.

LifeFlight Pilot

Amanda Deed is a First Officer with LifeFlight, contributing to critical care missions across Queensland. In August 2024, she participated in one of LifeFlight’s longest jet flights, transporting a patient from Bern, Switzerland, to Perth, Australia—a mission lasting over 52 hours. Amanda’s aviation journey began early, inspired by her father's passion for flying. She earned her Private Pilot License at 24 and has since gained extensive experience flying in remote regions of Australia. Amanda also co-piloted a notable “Australia in a Day” flight in December 2022, which secured second place in the international Dawn to Dusk competition.

Telstra Regional Engagement Manager, Southern Queensland

Sarah Brand has been a member of Telstra since 2008, contributing her expertise across various business areas with a strong focus on regional customers and stakeholders. In her most recent role, Sarah has been instrumental in leading and executing engagement activities in Southern Queensland. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks, from community and stakeholder engagement and sponsorships to the organisation and management of events. Additionally, Sarah is actively involved in Digital Inclusion initiatives, Diversity & Sustainability projects, and Disaster Management preparedness and response.

Sarah, along with her husband and two children, resides on a small farm in Berat on the Darling Downs. She is passionate about regional Australia and its people. In her leisure time, Sarah enjoys horse riding, gardening, and spending time outdoors with her family and friends.

nbn Co - Executive Manager – Education & Regional Stakeholder Relations

Elise joined nbn nearly 5 years ago and brings over 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry in regional rural and remote Australia.

Elise has had a varied career holding senior corporate roles across a range of industries including mining, telecommunications (as General Manager for NW NSW with Telstra Country Wide), media & international marketing, however her career has one common theme - the development of regional, rural and remote Australia at the heart of it. 

Alongside her corporate career, Elise has always been in private business, from owning and operating sheep and cattle grazing properties to starting a women’s fashion boutique in the remote East Kimberley. 

Elise was raised on a cattle station in North Queensland, attending School of the Air and doing Primary Correspondence through to the end of year 7; better than many, she understands from her lived experience the opportunities and challenges facing ICPA families.

BERYL NEILSEN WINCHESTER SCHOLARSHIPS

The Winchester Foundation was established by the late Mrs Beryl Neilsen OAM to provide educational assistance to children and young people living in rural and regional areas. Beryl Neilsen Winchester Scholarships endeavour to provide rural families with the same educational opportunities as those given to students living in the cities. This assistance is provided via Winchester Scholarships designed to assist with the study costs of successful applicants.   

Member for Gregory 

Member for Gregory and Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland Sean Dillon MP hails from a cattle station near Alpha, sitting in the geographic centre of the Gregory Electorate. His family has called Alpha home since 1919 and Mr Dillon is proud to be raising a fifth generation there with his wife, Sarah. Alongside their children, Ryan, Tia and Kacee, they form a strong, tough, yet loving team. 

Mr Dillon completed primary school through the Longreach School of Distance Education, attending Mt Carmel College and Columba Catholic College in Charters Towers for secondary school. 

He has been heavily involved with community life, serving as Alpha Rugby League Club President and serving on the management committee of the Australian Campdraft Association since 2000, holding the positions of President or Vice President from 2008 until 2024. 

He served on a local advisory committee to the Barcaldine Regional Council following the council amalgamations in 2008 and was elected Councillor in 2016. He was elected Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor in 2016, overseeing three consecutive budget surpluses and an unprecedented capital works program that improved local roads, sewerage and water security. 

He was elected Member for Gregory in 2024. 

Member for Bulimba

The Honourable Dianne (Di) Farmer MP is the Member for Bulimba in the Queensland Parliament and serves as the Shadow Minister for Education and the Early Years and the Shadow Minister for Youth Justice.

Throughout her parliamentary career, Di has held various ministerial roles, including Minister for Education and Youth Justice, Minister for Employment and Small Business, and Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women. With a deep connection to her local community and a breadth of ministerial experience across key portfolios, Di has a strong track record of supporting Queensland’s children and young people and brings compassion, experience, and dedication to her work in public service.

BALONNE SHIRE MAYOR

Cr Samantha O’Toole grew up in rural Canada in a farming family making the jump from the Prairies of Canada to St George more than 25 years ago.  Cr O’Toole and her husband, Jason juggle raising their family whilst operating Balonne Airwork and have grown it to the operation it is today over the past 20 years.

Cr O’Toole has a background in Economic Development and Tourism.  In 2016, Cr O’Toole was elected as a Councillor at Balonne Shire Council and was elected Mayor in 2020.  Cr O’Toole has been involved in the Country University Balonne since its inception and the AWE joint project with the St George State High School.  She’s passionate about rural communities and has a goal to make Balonne Shire more liveable, while providing and pursuing opportunities to ensure future generations have a positive future in the bush.   

Assistant Director-General – Reviews, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Department of Education

Chris is the Assistant Director-General – Reviews, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning, Department of Education. Chris is responsible for overseeing the Department of Education’s program of school, region and system reviews supporting continuous improvement in Queensland state schools as well as leading curriculum implementation and development. He is a highly accomplished and experienced educator with more than 30 years in roles across Queensland. Chris has been a teacher, Head of Department, Deputy Principal and Principal prior to holding leadership roles across the department including Assistant Regional Director North Coast Region and Executive Director. He has worked with both large and small school communities across Queensland metro, rural and remote locations and is a passionate advocate of school improvement and improved outcomes for all students and school communities. Chris has a deep understanding and recognition of the important work of teachers and the teaching profession.   

QCAA - Executive Director, Curriculum Services Division

With over 20 years of experience across three schooling sectors, Jo Butterworth brings a wealth of knowledge to the role of Executive Director, Curriculum Services at the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). Being part of a dynamic organisation that is leading the development of future-focused curriculum and assessment is one of Jo’s core passions. In her current role, she ensures innovation and partnership are central to the development of curriculum resources and assessment practices for all Queensland schools. As Executive Director at the QCAA, Jo has led the response to Artificial Intelligence and chaired the Artificial Intelligence Working Group to provide guidance to Queensland schools on using AI safely and ethically. These experiences have provided Jo with insight into how curriculum and assessment decisions influence our young people and prepare them for diverse pathways beyond school.

Director Global Engagement, Department of Education 

Susan Brook is an accomplished leader in education, holding a Bachelor of Education (First Class Honours) and a Master of Leadership. With extensive experience across both the state and non-state sectors, she has served as a principal and educator across a variety of educational settings. Now the Director of Global Engagement, Susan brings her wealth of experience to oversee transformative global programs that connect students, teachers, and leaders with international opportunities. Her leadership in global education spans language immersion, online learning, and offshore exchanges, ensuring that students are prepared for the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world. 

With a career that has seen her lead schools in regional, rural, and urban communities, Susan is deeply committed to keeping the student lens at the centre of all decision-making. Her time as a school principal has shaped her understanding of the diverse needs of students, and she prioritises their perspectives in every initiative she undertakes. Whether it’s through fostering global competence, ensuring access to quality education in remote areas, or promoting language education, Susan is committed to realising the potential of every student. 

Sally Rigney Media - Freelance 
Journalist / Primary Producer 

Sally Rigney, once better known as Sally Nicol, enjoyed an ABC Radio career that took her from our smallest towns to our biggest cities.  Always a country girl, a million years ago, she married Ian Rigney, and they raised two children on their busy grain and cattle property in Nindigully.

Throughout the years, Sally has been a staunch advocate for education. Recently, she completed five years as Cotton Australia Regional Manager for St George, Dirranbandi and Mungindi, using the role to support the transformation of St George State High School into a Centre of Agricultural Excellence. 

She also assisted in the introduction of the AWE Camp - Agriculture, Water, and Environment - which brings students from across the country to the region for an immersive ag week that counts for 1 QCE point towards graduation. 

Sally's commitment to creating a vibrant and energetic community was recognised when she was named the 2025 Balonne Shire Citizen of the Year.  In 2021, Sally was named the Greater Downs Woman in Business of the Year.  The same year she won the Local Government Association of Qld Best Creative Social Media Campaign for the St George Matesong, which went viral when Kylie Minogue 'liked' it, generating publicity worth $1.2 million of for the local tourist industry.

Sally defines success as finding where you belong, embracing and enjoying it.

Australian Organic Meats - Director

Simone is a founder of the organic beef industry in Australia and has been pioneering the development of major market opportunities for her organic beef network since the mid 1990’s.  Simone was awarded an industry scholarship by the Australian Prime Minister to fund her MBA studies in 2000, and has also completed the Rabobank Executive Primary Producer program sponsored by the University of Queensland.

She spent several years as a Director of the Organic Federation of Australia and was a member of the Federal Government National Food Plan Advisory Group – in recognition of the growing importance of the organic food sector to Australian agriculture.  Simone is joint Managing Director of the AOM Group, an organic meat company that represents farmers in their quest to achieve fair market returns for their organic beef and lamb products.   She was recognised as a finalist in the 2018 AFR 100 Women of Influence.  

www.aomgroup.com.au

Sprout Agribusiness - Senior Agribusiness Manager 

With a background in both hands-on farming and Agri-finance, Joe brings a well-rounded perspective to the agricultural industry. Raised on the Liverpool Plains, he has worked across diverse farming operations and now supports agricultural businesses through his role at Sprout Agribusiness. Joe holds a Bachelor of Business (Agriculture) from Marcus Oldham College and is passionate about promoting the many career paths available in agriculture for the next generation.

Rabobank - Senior Rural Manager Roma 

Currently serving as a Senior Rural Manager at Rabobank in Roma, I began my journey with the bank in October 2020 as a graduate in a rural officer role. Since then, I’ve steadily progressed through the ranks, driven by a deep-rooted passion for agriculture and rural communities.

Before joining Rabobank, I completed a Bachelor of Business majoring in Agribusiness at Marcus Oldham College — an opportunity encouraged by mentors during my time working on rural properties. I spent five years in the industry, both in the stock camp and as a governess, gaining hands-on experience that solidified my commitment to a career in agriculture.

I grew up on a small farm outside Rockhampton and completed all my schooling there. Academics weren’t my focus in high school and I didn’t pursue an OP (now QCE/ATAR) due to a stronger interest in sport. I would rather have been outside then sitting in a classroom. It was the combination of studying agriculture as a subject and visiting friends on properties that sparked my love for the land and the industry.

My career has been shaped by a blend of practical experience, formal education, and a genuine connection to rural life, and I’m passionate about supporting and growing the agricultural sector through my work.

Engineering and Maintenance Manager - Moonrock's Farms

Jacob Moon is a sixth-generation farmer and the driver of industry leading practices at Moonrocks farm, a premier family-owned operation in St George QLD. With 12 years of diverse experience across the agriculture industry, Jacob spearheads innovative approaches to growing and processing onions, garlic, pumpkins, grapes and cotton, which are supplied to major retail chains nationwide. Holding an agribusiness degree from the university of Tasmania and a 2024 Nuffield Farming Scholar, he focuses on advancing efficiency through machine harvesting of onions and garlic. Jacob’s lifelong passion for agriculture fuels his commitment to positioning moonrocks farm at the forefront of sustainable and cutting-edge farming practices.

St George SHS -Head of Department for Agriculture, Technologies and Arts

I am Miss Caitlin Crowe, Head of Department for Agriculture, Technologies and Arts at St George State High School. Now in my 6th year teaching in St George, I am proud to be working with an innovative team at an Agricultural School of Excellence where we provide a range of engaging education programs for students living and visiting the St George Region.

Caitlin was the 2023 Excellence in Teaching TEACHX recipient has contributed to the establishment of multiple show teams, the introduction of artificial insemination programs and iFarm technology- a fully computerised and interactive farm science research station. Caitlin’s innovative teaching methods have helped maintain student engagement, with students encouraged to remain in school because of the Agricultural program and its numerous camp opportunities, various trips to show and judging in Toowoomba, Brisbane, and Dirranbandi to name a few.

Mort & Co - Livestock Logistics Coordinator 

President ICPA Qld Inc 

Wendy has lived with her husband Andrew, and their four daughters at “Merchison Park”, a beef cattle property in the Teelba area near Glenmorgan for the past 27 years.  Her children were educated at the local stand-alone primary school, Teelba State School for all their primary school years before heading to St Hilda’s School, Southport for their secondary schooling.  With her girls now residing not only in Queensland, but also interstate, the importance of access to education continues.   

Wendy became a member of the Westmar Inglestone Branch not long after the birth of her first daughter Annabelle, in 2000.  Her primary motivation was to catch up with other young mums living in the area; Wendy also had an interest in the organization as a school friend had lived and breathed ICPA, including having her father serve a period as State President.  Wendy has held the position of Secretary for the branch and has also been on the convening committees for the 2012 conference in Goondiwindi, and the 2013 conference in Toowoomba.  Wendy went on to co-convene the 2013 Federal Conference in Brisbane and then convene the 2021 50th Anniversary Federal Conference in Longreach. 

A deep-seated passion and belief that all children, regardless of how they learn, deserve an equitable education, saw Wendy join State Council in 2015 at the Cloncurry conference.  She led the Specific Needs Portfolio for many years before also leading Curriculum and then Boarding Schools and Hostels, whilst also sitting on other portfolios.  The development of the “Orange Book”, by ICPA Qld in conjunction with Queensland Health, was a major achievement of which ICPA Qld and Wendy were proud.  With her daughter Kate studying Primary Education, the relevance of ICPA continues to motivate each day. 

Wendy was elected Vice-President in 2018 and held the position until 2023 when she was elected President.  Wendy has a number of goals she would like to achieve in this role along with continuing the work of previous Presidents.  Raising the profile of ICPA Qld and ensuring there is not only a strong connection with all stakeholders, but also with branch members, is of prime importance. Wendy also wants to ensure the work of the organisation is relevant and secure in the years ahead, including for all ages and stage-of-life and education.  With her third daughter, Peggy, having a keen interest in pursuing a trade through an apprenticeship, Wendy knows that post-formal schooling is as important as early childhood, primary years, secondary years and tertiary access and opportunities.  The next generation of members will be the ones who see the organisation flourish for the next 54 years.  Wendy strongly encourages members to bring their issues forward to help ensure that every child everywhere has equitable access to education regardless of where their families live. 

Patron, ICPA Qld  

Mrs Patricia Mitchell (OAM) is Patron and Life Member of ICPA Qld Inc. She was instrumental in forming the Augathella ICPA Branch in 1973, was inaugural Secretary of Charleville School of the Air P&C ICPA Branch when it formed in 1976. She joined Cloncurry Branch in 1979 and was made a Life Member in 1986.  

In 1977, Patricia was elected to Queensland Council ICPA and was Queensland President from 1982 till 1986. From 1982 –1985 she was a Federal ICPA councillor and Federal President from 1985- 1988.  

As President of Queensland ICPA Patricia was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Distance Education in Queensland which recommended the formation of a School of Distance Education from the existing four Correspondence Schools and five Schools of the Air. She was then on several committees that implemented the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and planned new Schools of Distance Education.  

During this time, Patricia was also Commissioner on the Commonwealth Schools Commission and member of the Catholic Education Commission Committee for the Education of Country Children, member of the Home Schooling State Review Committee and numerous other State and Federal committees.  

As well as her ongoing commitment to education in rural and regional Australia, Patricia has been very involved with the Arts. She is a former President of Regional Arts Australia as well as being a Life Member and former President of Queensland Arts Council. She helped establish Arts House in Canberra and Chaired the Regional Arts Fund Panel in Queensland.  

Because of her experience in these fields, Patricia was appointed to the Council of the Australian War Memorial from 1997 – 2004. Patricia was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day 1996 for service to rural education and the arts.  

In 2019 Patricia, who has been Patron of Queensland ICPA since 2002, and had been awarded Life Membership of Queensland ICPA in 1996, was awarded ICPA Federal Life Membership in recognition of her continued ongoing support of ICPA.   

Federal President, ICPA Australia 

Louise Martin lives with her husband and twin daughters on a sheep and cattle property 30km from Tambo. Her daughters, born in December 2005, began their education through Charleville School of Distance Education and later attended Tambo State School and Stuartholme School in Brisbane, completing Year 12 in 2023. 

Born and raised in the Augathella district, Louise completed her primary education via correspondence through Charleville School of the Air. Her Year 7 class was the pilot for the current Distance Ed program. She then boarded at Stuartholme for secondary school and attended Longreach Pastoral College. Louise worked as a jillaroo and spent five years as James Packer’s polo groom, an experience that allowed her to travel extensively. 

In 1995, she moved to Tambo to work at Lansdowne as a bookkeeper/cattle manager and eventually married the neighbour. During this time, she completed a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Agribusiness externally, over seven years. 

Louise has been active in the Tambo community, serving on committees including the Stock Show, Polocrosse Club, Arts Council, and the local RADF committee. She joined the Tambo ICPA branch in 2007, became involved in State Council in 2013, and served as Queensland President from 2020 to June 2023. 

Elected Federal President of ICPA in July 2023, Louise is embracing the challenges of federal advocacy. She values being part of a passionate team working to ensure rural and remote children have access to equitable education. 

Bollon ICPA Branch Life Member

Lynden Goddard is a 3rd generation Bollon cattleman.  Lynden understands very well the challenges facing and opportunities available to rural and remote families. He himself had to move away from home to boarding school at a young age, as did his father and uncles before him.  Following in his footsteps, were his own sons and now grandchildren. It’s understandable that Lynden has made time for ICPA and indeed, ICPA has been shaped by those just like him. 

Lynden served as Bollon branch president during the 70's and 80's and served on Queensland State Council from 1978 to 1980. Whilst a member of ICPA Qld, Lynden was involved with research into the development and benefits of satellite television and internet in rural areas.  Awarded Bollon branch Life Membership in 1987, Lynden is a stalwart of the Bollon community and has held executive roles with many community groups. Please welcome Bollon’s honorary ICPA Life Member, Mr Lynden Goddard.