Rhonwen Tighe – Clermont Branch Life Member, 2017
Rhonwen Tighe brought extensive firsthand experience of rural education to her involvement with ICPA. Her family was involved with the small school at Kilcummin and later with the School of Distance Education Centre at Charters Towers, before her five children continued their education at boarding school, university and other educational institutions. These experiences gave Rhonwen a strong understanding of the needs of isolated children and their families.
Rhonwen joined the Clermont Branch of ICPA in the 1990s and became an extremely active member, contributing to a wide range of Branch projects. In 1998 she was elected Branch President, a position she held for two years. That same year, she attended her first ICPA Queensland State Conference in Longreach as a Clermont Branch delegate.
From 2002 to 2006, Rhonwen served as Branch Secretary, taking particular responsibility for Branch communication. In 2003, she also became involved in managing the Branch’s web presence for 12 months—an important development as ICPA increasingly embraced online communication.
A significant part of Rhonwen’s contribution was her extensive involvement with the Clermont ICPA Sports Camp. She served as Sports Camp Coordinator in 2004 and as administrator in 2006 and 2007. Over the years, she also took responsibility for registration, school liaison, risk management and volunteer coordination, demonstrating her willingness to contribute wherever she was needed.
In 2006, Rhonwen was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her commitment to ICPA and her passion for improving educational opportunities for rural children.
In recognition of her many years of service, leadership and commitment to rural education, Rhonwen Tighe was nominated for Life Membership of the Clermont Branch. Her Life Membership recognised her dedication to ICPA, her significant contribution to the Branch and Sports Camp, and her enduring commitment to improving opportunities for rural and isolated children.
