Generations of rural families and their many supporters gathered in Cunnamulla on Monday evening to begin the celebration for the 50th anniversary of rural education lobby group, the Isolated Children's Parents' Association.
Following the formation of the organisation in Bourke in April 1971, a branch in Cunnamulla became the first to be formed in Queensland later that year.
Since then thousands of people have volunteered countless hours in pursuit of education equality for geographically isolated kids, making it one of rural Australia's most respected lobby groups.
There have been a lot of memories made in that time, as policies were made and refined over party line telephones and motions discussed on long car journeys, which irrepressible Queenslanders were at the heart of.
For that reason this year's conference will not only sum up the current state of play in areas such as broadband connectivity, mini-school accommodation and school bus run maintenance needs, it will be taking a look back at all that went into getting to this stage.
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Over 40 past state and federal councillors are reuniting for the two days, and the conference has also attracted more than 60 school representatives.
They will join nearly 60 branch delegates from Charters Towers and Mount Isa in the north to the Southern Downs and Kindon in the south, along with 20 registered observers and 40 industry representatives, meaning that the south west town of Cunnamulla has the no vacancy sign up.
Monday night's meet and greet at the Paroo Shire Hall was followed by a performance of Are You Lonesome Tonight, the country music-opera creation that has been wowing regional audiences since its debut at Beef Australia 2021.
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