David Butler of Nyngan is what can be referred to as a “quiet achiever”, but his unwavering commitment was recognised recently with a life membership to the Isolated Children’s Parents Association (ICPA) at a state conference luncheon held in Dubbo.

Surrounded by ICPA representatives from across the state, David was applauded for his life as a volunteer targeting education.

David's parents Neil and Geraldine Butler were among the 41 people who brought the Nyngan ICPA branch to life in 1971, thus commencing David's lifelong association with organisation.

With grazing properties in the Marra district, north west of Nyngan, the Butler family are well aware of the issues surrounding education in rural and isolated areas.

With his siblings and then his own three children David and wife Shelley (another amazing contributor to the organisation) have more than learnt to navigate the obstacles of life in a rural area in terms of education, they have also contributed to its success through work with the ICPA.

“I was not expecting the life membership but thank the Nyngan branch for it,” said Mr. Butler.

“There would not be many families or students (past or present) that have not benefitted from the work of ICPA, whether it was allowances, communications, distance education or travel. It is a fantastic organisation,” he said.

Alison Campbell, Nyngan ICPA. PHOTO SUPPLIED

For around 53 years the volunteer run organisation has committed to highlighting equity of educational needs of children and families living in rural and regional areas across Australia.

The ICPA members have lobbied governments and policy makers to provide equal access to education and pushed for improved access to transport, internet and providing support to students living away from home to reach educational goals.

Fellow Nyngan ICPA member Alison Campbell spoke of David Butler's contribution to the organisation.

 “A Branch Committee chooses to recognise a branch member who has made exceptional contributions to the branch, by awarding them Branch Life Membership and when it comes to the importance of education for rural and remote children, having an ability to bring people into the ICPA family and an ability to take the issues to those who need to hear them, David has gone above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to supporting and representing his local ICPA branch.”

“David’s mother Gerry was an active branch member locally throughout her life, attended Federal conference in Perth in the early years and remained a branch member until very late in life. David’s mother-in-law, Jenny McLellan is a life member of the Brewarrina Branch of ICPA, Jenny is a former state councillor and a former federal president of the ICPA giving many years of service to the organisation, so you can say ICPA is in David’s blood.” said Mrs Campbell.

It's not just School of the Air students who benefit from the work of ICPA members. IMAGE: ICPA

“David has many years of ICPA involvement, he was Vice President then President. and I had the pleasure of being secretary to David’s branch presidency. I never knew what time of the day I might receive a phone call, but they came often and generally always with the quad bike idling in the background. David continues to attend all branch meetings and volunteer his time.”

Mr. Butler joined the NSW State council in 2016 and has held the position of Vice President on State Council and travel convenor during this time. Nyngan Branch has a long history of state councillor representation and Mr. Butler is one of the longest serving members.

According to Mrs Campbell, the Nyngan Branch of the ICPA unanimously bestowed life membership upon Mr. Butler for all that he has done for the branch, his unstinting support, undertaking of various roles and importantly continuing the diligent lobbying for equity in accessing education for rural and remote children of NSW.