Community & Business
9 November, 2022
ICPA FUNdraiser a huge hit
The FNQ Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA) Mt Garnet FUNdraiser exceeded all expectations recently, raising $30,000 for the organisation devoted to improving the quality of education of rural and remote children.
After months of hard work by branch members, businesses responded, donating an impressive line-up of auction items and thousands of dollars in cash. Almost 200 people travelled from as far as Chillagoe, Charters Towers, Georgetown, and across the Tablelands to attend.
The kids were well catered for, with expert instructors from AFL Cairns, Queensland Cricket and pottery and macramé organisations travelling out to Mt Garnet to teach them new skills and include them in team events not usually accessible in the bush.
There was fairy floss, gift bags and give-a-ways supplied by generous sponsors and the extremely well-patronised jumping castle that kept the never-ending line up of kids busy, giving parents a chance to socialise and relax.
The evening's events kicked off with the Shane Knuth and Andrew Young sponsored Happy Hour, hosted by the town’s golf club members, who supplied nibbles before a home-cooked dinner which included a pig on the spit, lasagna, salad and desserts, all served under the magnificent Mt Garnet stars.
Life memberships were presented to dedicated and long-serving members, Jenny Ford and Karen Pedersen during the night. The completely volunteer-based organisation has been kept alive by members like these since it began in 1971.
Brian Rowland maintained a cracking pace, as he auctioned his way through the massive pile of donated items, managing to lighten both the atmosphere and everyone's wallets in the process.
Dancing followed with live music by Carrizma, who entertained party-goers until midnight and those who camped overnight were treated to a bacon and egg breakfast to fuel them up for the Sunday cricket sessions.
Funds raised over the weekend will be used to maintain equity of access to education for geographically isolated children, paying for delegates to attend annual state and federal conferences and continue lobbying politicians for better educational opportunities for students from prep to university.
ICPA FNQ President Karen Muccignat said their branch was overjoyed with the huge response they had received from throughout the community and they wanted to sincerely thank all those who had sponsored, supported or volunteered to help the branch in any way.
