Shona Larkin joined the ICPA Qld State Council as Fundraising Officer in October 2025. Since then, she has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the passionate people involved and seeing firsthand the important work ICPA does for rural and remote families across Queensland.
Shona and her husband Steve own a cattle station “Kentle Downs” south of Hughenden in North West Queensland, where they have raised their four children, Hunter (15), Torah (14), Will (12) and Ned (7). Prior to station life, Shona worked as a primary school teacher in Townsville and Richmond, teaching across multiple year levels. While she loved her teaching career, she and Steve were keen to return to the land and raise their family in the bush.
The Larkin children began their education at a small one-teacher school before transitioning to Longreach School of Distance Education. Shona spent several years as Home Tutor, and at one stage had all four children learning in the schoolroom at once, which gave her a whole new appreciation for the role and confirmed that teaching your own children is a very different experience! Today, Hunter and Torah are navigating boarding school life in Toowoomba, with Will set to follow next year, while Ned remains at home for a few more years and keeps Shona closely connected to the world of distance education.
Life on the station is busy, dusty and rarely quiet, but the Larkins wouldn't have it any other way. When they're not working on the station, you'll likely find them camping, exploring, spending time with family or making the most of school holidays back on the property.
Having experienced firsthand the challenges and opportunities of rural education, Shona is passionate about giving back to an organisation that has been a strong voice for her family and so many others. She is excited to bring fresh energy to the annual ICPA Qld Raffle and help raise awareness of the advocacy work ICPA undertakes to create better educational opportunities for children across Queensland.
