In this two part episode of Letters from Home, we travel to Rutchillo Station near Julia Creek to meet Kimberley Wilson – a woman of the outback whose story will both humble and inspire you.
Kimberley has spent nearly two decades teaching her children through School of the Air, balancing lessons with station life and community commitments. In this heartfelt two-part conversation, she opens up about the joys and challenges of being both mum and teacher in one of the most remote parts of Queensland – and the heartbreak of losing her daughter Peyton just before she was due to begin boarding school.
We talk about the resilience that shaped her family, her deep involvement with ICPA Queensland, and her hopes for true educational equity for remote children. Kimberley also shares the remarkable story of her daughter Cadence, who studied at Fairholme College in Toowoomba and is now pursuing medicine at James Cook University, driven by a passion for rural health.
It’s a story about love, loss, education, and advocacy – and a reminder that the future of rural Australia often begins in a tiny schoolroom on a far-flung station.
For families who’d like to meet schools face-to-face, register for our Mount Isa Expo, scheduled for 30 November 2026. Schools are still registering for this event so keep checking back for a full list of participating schools.
Our events are a place where connection and opportunity come together for regional and remote families.
