Jenny Purvis – Clermont Branch Life Member, 2000
Jenny Purvis, together with her husband Jim, was a foundation member of the Clermont Branch of ICPA when it was established in 1972. Jenny frequently held office within the Branch, and with their three children, ICPA became very much a family commitment.
Jenny’s contribution extended to ICPA Queensland State Council, where she served from 1977 to 1980. During this time, she was involved with the Distance Education and Special Needs portfolios and became particularly concerned with the needs of governesses. In 1978, she contributed to a submission to Federal Council on “Governess Wages” and later worked with TAFE to help develop a course for governesses.
Her commitment to Distance Education continued well beyond her time on State Council. At the 1988 Distance Education Conference, Jenny represented ICPA parents on the Isolated Children Special Education Unit (ICSEU). In 1989, she became the ICPA Central Region parent representative on the State coordinating committee for Distance Education and represented ICPA on the Central Queensland School of Distance Education Planning Committee.
Jenny also represented ICPA Queensland on the Central PCAP Committee from 1987, serving in this capacity for several years. In 1989, she became the Home Tutor representative on the Belyando Local Area Committee of PCAP. She was also a member of the committee responsible for establishing Volunteers for Isolated Students Education (VISE) in Central Queensland, further demonstrating her commitment to supporting geographically isolated students and their families.
At Branch level, Jenny remained actively involved in numerous projects. In 1996, she received a Branch Certificate of Appreciation, recognising her contribution. She also served for many years as the Branch’s cookbook coordinator, with the Clermont ICPA cookbook becoming an important fundraiser for around 20 years. Jenny filled cookbook orders and, in 1995, organised the 13th reprint of Country Hospitality.
In recognition of her longstanding commitment as a foundation member, her service at Branch and State level, and her significant contribution to Distance Education, governess support and isolated students, Jenny Purvis was awarded Life Membership of the Clermont Branch on 4 February 2000. Her Life Membership acknowledged almost three decades of dedicated service to ICPA and rural and remote education.
