Heather Jones – Clermont Branch Life Member, 2017
Heather Jones’ connection with rural and remote education began through teaching her three children by correspondence and School of the Air through Charleville, and later through the School of Distance Education in Emerald. Her children subsequently continued their education at boarding school, university and other educational institutions, giving Heather many years of firsthand experience with the educational journey of geographically isolated families.
Heather joined the Clermont Branch of ICPA in the 1980s and quickly became a valued and active member. From 1995 to 1997, she represented Clermont on the Priority Country Area Program (PCAP) Committee, before taking on the important role of Branch Treasurer in 1997. Heather held this position for at least seven years, until 2003, with her precision and attention to detail proving invaluable to the Branch.
In 2003, Heather became convenor of the successful Clermont ICPA cookbook, continuing in this role until 2007. The cookbook was an important Branch fundraiser, helping provide the funds needed to send delegates to ICPA conferences and ensuring Clermont families continued to have a voice at a broader level.
Heather also made an enormous contribution to the Clermont ICPA Sports Camp. As Branch Treasurer, she managed the Sports Camp finances until it became a separate entity in 2006, and in 2007 she prepared a PCAP submission seeking funding for the project. Over the years she also served as camp caterer and, following a three-year period when Springsure ran the camp, returned to again take on both catering and treasury responsibilities. Heather was particularly passionate about providing wholesome, natural food for the children—with the original nomination fondly noting that there was “no junk”, not even tinned apples for the apple crumble!
In 2006, Heather was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation recognising her dedication to ICPA and her many years of service as Treasurer. Her contribution across Branch administration, fundraising, PCAP and Sports Camp demonstrated a longstanding willingness to take on the practical work needed to support ICPA and isolated families.
In recognition of her many years of dedicated service and commitment to ICPA, Heather Jones was nominated for Life Membership of the Clermont Branch. Her Life Membership acknowledged her valuable contribution to the Branch and her longstanding support for the educational opportunities of rural and remote children.
