General News
16 December, 2019
Noeline Ikin honoured for life’s work
Noeline Ikin’s influence in northern Australia was farreaching and prominent, and it’s a legacy that has been rightly recognised in the form of a foundation that provides support to ensuring the prosperity of our region’s youth.
NOELINE Ikin is a name synonymous with the Tablelands and the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the enormous impact she had on those regions has been recognised with the launch of the Noeline Ikin Foundation.
Noeline tragically lost her battle to an aggressive brain tumour in 2017 at just 47 years of age, proving a massive blow for a number of rural Queensland communities who admired and adored her.
The offi cial launch of the foundation was held at Skybury Coffee and Roastery last Thursday, and the foundation’s chairwoman Martine Care alluded to what their aim is as an organisation.
“The foundation is a joint partnership between the Gulf Cattleman’s Association, Northern Gulf Resource Management Group and Etheridge Shire Council,” she said.
“The foundation has three goals, including gaining the power through higher education and using that power to advance our industries and livelihood, to lead by example and inspire and embody the common interests of the communities of North Queensland, and to build a future for northern regional Australia.
“Firstly we’re in the process of getting our Deductible Gift Recipients (DGR) status, so once we get that we will be fundraising so that we can start organising and implementing foundation projects,” Ms Care said.
Noeline was a former Etheridge Shire Councillor and LNP candidate who was widely known for nearly toppling political veteran Bob Katter in 2013; however, her work in helping form the Gulf Graziers’ Group and her time at the helm of the Northern Gulf Terrain Northern Resource Management group was just as crucial.
One such individual who had the pleasure of knowing her personally was John Brisbin, who spoke glowingly about Noelene’s legacy both personally and professionally.
“Somebody like Noeline was one of those rare leaders who had their heart in the community and a bridge-builder,” he said.
“Noeline was able to see the good pieces of each person and bring it together in a way that they all worked together better.
“That’s a secret sauce way of leading, as the divisive way we often discuss issues today both societally and politically is something Noeline tried to avoid.
“It’s easy to take a divisive point of view, and that’s a lazy person’s way out – Noeline was different to that, she took the hard road and took the time to understand what people were saying and found commonality in the community.
“That’s what made her so special and I’m so pleased to be here today to celebrate the formation of a foundation in her honour.”
For those interested in supporting the Noeline Ikin Foundation, you can do so by visiting their website at www.noelineikin.foundation or their Facebook page.
