The Gulf Cattleman’s Association (GCA) has penned a moving tribute to the woman who inspired the group to form, Noeline Ikin.
The GCA executive – Barry Hughes, Greg Ryan, Kim Gaynor and Gillian Hinrichsen – met after Ms Ikin passed away on Saturday, following a battle with a malignant brain tumour.
Noeline, considered one of North Queensland’s favourite daughters, was a passionate rural advocate and former political candidate.
Gulf Cattleman’s Association tribute
“Noeline Ikin was a remarkable woman who assisted many people in many different ways. Noeline devoted herself completely to her roles, responsibilities and to others.
She was a strong voice advocating for the small voices; a visionary who could see great potential for northern Australia and passionate about her family, community and North Queensland.
There have been many people and groups who benefited from Noeline’s tireless work within Queensland’s gulf and lower peninsula areas, including gulf graziers.
The Gulf Cattleman's Association owes its very existence to this remarkable lady.
Through her foresight and vision as chief executive officer of the Northern Gulf Resource Management Group, she identified the lack of cattle industry representation on an advocacy level.
Her belief was that the north could speak for itself and that grassroots information was the key to achieving the necessary changes.
Noeline's unselfish commitment to both the community and industry led to talks with the grazing industry representatives in the region and, as such, the Gulf Grazing Group was formed under the chairmanship of Barry Hughes.
Using the Gulf Grazing Group as a platform, Noeline went to work lobbying both state and federal ministers across the major issues that were impacting the beef industry and the communities that support the cattle industry in the gulf regions.
The group outgrew its initial structure and, with Noeline’s insistence, was reborn into the Gulf Cattleman’s Association. Noeline served as chief advisor to “all things political” and mentor to the association.
Noeline’s prowess for progression and drive to deliver sustainable pathways for the greater gulf region had become a cornerstone for the organisation as it moves forward.
Never once in all her dealings and negotiations in her many and varied roles, did Noeline lower her very high moral and ethical standards that she lived her life by.
No matter who Noeline was dealing with, from the Federal Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce to participants in a small rural meeting, she was held in high regard and her beliefs, passion and vision were equally highly respected.
The Gulf Cattleman's Association is just one of the many legacies that this truly remarkable lady has left across the Gulf region.
It is now up to each and every one of us to ensure that her legacy continues to grow to obtain a fairer deal for the people of rural Queensland and to be that strong voice.
Her family devotion, as well as her love for horses, were pivotal in the way Noeline was able to connect to people and she was often seen with her horse Radar and swag in the horse float heading out to lend a hand with chopper mustering on a Gulf cattle station. This was the life she loved.”
Barry Hughes penned the following poem in memory of Noeline.
“May the rain never wash
Your tracks from the trail
May the memories of you
Never, ever fail
May the horses you love
Carry you to above
Now that your saddle
Has gone from the rail.”
