The annual SA ICPA State Conference was held at the Eldo Hotel, Woomera, on Thursday the 23rd of March to an attentive crowd of just under 70, with the aptly suited theme of ‘Launching Futures since 1972’.
SA ICPA 2023 Woomera - Gallery by Stephanie Roeske Photography
With Port Augusta School of the Air running a face-to-face event during the same week as the conference was held, the day began with the children entertaining the room with the National Anthem and their school song.
Guests were then treated to local pastoralist, Laura Greenfield, as the opening speaker with a recap on her inspiring young life, and guest speaker Annabel Homer engaged the audience with her motivational story breaking the day up during motions.
Passionate voices were heard advocating for the educational needs for our rural and remote families, alongside a detailed update from the attending ICPA Federal President, Alana Moller.
Motions presented ranged from asking for an increase to the State Education Allowance, requesting that School of the Air has a standalone all-inclusive building for teaching staff and Face to Face events and having the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) extended to ¾ year old’s doing Kindergarten through distance education.
This year’s conference was hosted by SA’s North-West ICPA branch, with local (by outback standards!) committee member Candice Brown, from Arcoona Station, convening the event and ensuring the day ran smoothly by liaising with all those involved. The location for the evening dinner was a surprise for all as the buses drove excited guests out to one of Saltbush Ag’s (also a major sponsor for the day) properties, the above mentioned Arcoona, for a glittery meal overlooking a great expanse of water. The only prerequisite was ‘wear something sparkly’ and with that in mind, guests really turned it on with more twinkles than the night sky as they enjoyed a drink and excellent meal under the fairy lit marquee.
The North-West ICPA branch would like to thank their major sponsors for making the conference a roaring success:
OICS and BHP Oak Dam.
Peak Iron Mines
FMG
AJ & PA McBride
Connellan Airways Trust
NBN
Oz Minerals
Saltbush Ag
Australian Boarding Schools Association
Jumbuck
In2It
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Telstra
Foraco
CODA Minerals
Titeline Drilling Pty Ltd
Spuds Roadhouse
Remote Civil & Construction
