The organisation formed in 1971 in Bourke, New South Wales, resulting in what she recalls “an explosion of interest right through New South Wales and Queensland.”

“Branches started everywhere; by 1975 we could feel the interest was here,” Ms McDonald said.

A public meeting was held, a branch was formed, and Ms McDonald put her hand up to be secretary. The inaugural president was Kathleen Batt.

“We used to meet about different issues, we did a little bit of fundraising and community events, and the branch has been in good hands ever since,” Ms McDonald said.

When she sees the disputes over the National Broadband Network and communications in general, Ms McDonald said lobbying for equal educational opportunities was “much the same as it is now”.

But there was one issue she held very close to her heart: music.

The music scheme in southern Queensland, hosted by the Priority Country Area Program (PCAP), was something Cloncurry branch members “were so envious of”, Ms McDonald recalled.

In 1979, they started the North West PCAP which meant Mount Isa right down to Birdsville, up to Normanton became involved.

“We had access to itinerant teachers. We had music and art teachers who visited many rural schools. It was terrific,” Ms McDonald said.

“Since then we’ve had marvellous opportunities and that’s why I was particularly excited when our granddaughters and others as well have been able to learn music over the telephone through Mr Vonn in Mount Isa who coordinates the music program.”

Ms McDonald said it “was a pity” the government ended funding for the PCAP program in 2011, replacing it with a different scheme.​