Gwen Walton OAM
Founding Member 1981
Branch Secretary 1981
Branch President 1991 - 1994
Branch Publicity Officer 1985
Federal Council 1992/1993
WA State Delegate 1985
Hyden Delegate 1988, 1989 and 1990
Conference Observer 1983 and 1984
State President 1988 - 1991
Immediate Past President 1992 - 1994
State Secretary 1983 - 1986
Pedals Editor 1986 - 1988
ICPA Honour Badge at WA State Conference 1995
Gwen remains a branch member.
Gwen’s involvement began with ICPA in 1981 when Carolyn Burns, a close friend, suggested they form a branch in Hyden. In 1983 Gwen was persuaded to take over the role as State Secretary – big shoes to fill as she followed Valmai Kopke.
Gwen served for 3 years on the Federal Executive and in addition to this she has volunteered her time to positions on both State Council and at this Branch. One of her main contributions was as Editor of the Pedals magazine from 1985 to 1989 when she handed the position on to the efficient Marlene Mayfield.
Gwen describes the role of editor as a wonderful experience as she got to know members from all over Australia, (even if only by phone and “snail mail” – no internet and emails then). It was a delight to receive contributions from members, though the panic – “did I have enough material?”- would set in a couple of weeks before deadline.
In a Pedals magazine dated June 1995 when Gwen was presented her Honour Badge, she was once quoted as saying
“One learned early in a person’s term that if one had a good idea and brought it forward, then likely as not, our President would say ” That’s a good idea, you have obviously thought it out, so you may as well follow it through.”
And true to her character Gwen pursued these ideas and saw them through to fruition.
