Farewell to a pocket rocket
It is with great sadness I learnt of the passing of Noeline Ikin on Saturday.
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Noeline Ikin was a “pocket rocket”.
Her diminutive stature belied her enormous capacity for care and compassion for remote Queensland, its communities and its residents, her dogged determination to improve their lives and livelihoods and her consistent and constant advocacy on our behalves often in the face of disinterest or dismissal.
Her knowledge was based not just on her interactions with communities, governments and corporates but on the fact that she lived it every day, from her home in Georgetown – a small outback town that has weathered Mother Nature’s offerings and like so many remote areas, for many years, lived on the fringe of consciousness of decision makers and service providers.
Her passion and intelligence shone through her quiet determination, her calm demeanour and her ability to cut through the rhetoric to the heart of the matter and drive her point home with the precision of a master marksman.
Professionally, Noeline provided support and advice to myself and organisations I am involved in.
Personally, she was a friend, a sounding board, and a great support.
I had the utmost respect for her opinions and advice, freely given but worth much.
I admired her humility, her ability to see beyond the hype and hyperbole and her fierce determination to “ do right” by her fellow Northerners and their communities.
Her belief in her message made her strong, fierce and tenacious – a force to be reckoned with.
The light from the North is a little dimmer with her passing.
To let it remain dim would be a shame.
What better way to honour such a wonderful individual than to emulate, each in our own way, her pride in being from the North, her passion and belief in our right to quality services, infrastructure and lifestyle and to keep advocating for it.
My heartfelt thoughts go to her family.
May the thoughts of my family, my friends and my communities comfort and sustain you all in the time ahead.
Ernie Camp,
Mayor Burke Shire Council,
Chair Gulf Savannah Development and pastoralist
Bob is at it again
Oh dear, Robert Carl Katter MP MHR is at it again.
He wants to ban migrants from that bad Middle Easty place
He wants to ban food imports from some 'dirty' countries.
Bob, mate, you are a migrant descendant of those shifty middle east Lebanese.
If we ban food imports, 'dirty' people will ban OUR food products in retaliation.
Who will lose most?
Time to take the gold watch and hand-shake, Bob.
Thanks for your service, but the 21st century is calling and it is time for you to go.
George Harley
Mount Isa
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Like Mayor Camp, North West Star readers were saddened by the death of Noeline Ikin. Here are some of our online tributes
Amanda Jane – Such sad news, may you rest in peace. Condolences to your family
Colin Ferguson – So sad to hear this Noeline was a lovely lady that would have did a great job for North Queensland if she had of got the chance.
Gary Osman – Very sad to hear. Was a impressive candidate and i found greatly respected! Condolences to her family.
Rick Murray – RIP, Noeline. Thinking of her daughters at this sad time. She was a very special person and will be sorely missed across the gulf region. A fellow Savannah Guide.