Nutrien Katherine raises $180,000 for ICPA, supporting education for remote families across the Top End and beyond
$180,000 had just been raised for the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA). But behind the impressive figure lies something more enduring: a story of full-circle connection, community spirit, and deep roots in remote education.
For Katherine Branch Manager Ben Coutts, the cause couldn’t be closer to home.
“I was one of those ICPA kids,” Ben shares. “Growing up in the Gulf, my mum was one of the founding members of the Barkly ICPA. She understood the value of connection, advocacy and now, through my role with Nutrien, I get to carry that legacy forward.”
Under Ben’s leadership, the Katherine fundraiser has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated events. But he’s the first to point out that it’s far from a one-person show.
The annual auction is now a standout feature of the Katherine Show, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the Nutrien Katherine team, ICPA volunteers, local businesses and supporters.
Donations flow in from across the region, with strong support from Nutrien suppliers both locally and across Australia. Many local producers hold off on purchasing merchandise, seed or crop chemicals until the event, knowing their spend will directly support the ICPA fundraiser.
The support once again stretched interstate, with Nutrien Stud Stock’s Dane Pearce flying in from Queensland to lend his auctioneering talents to the cause.
ICPA plays a vital role in supporting families in remote and regional areas, where access to education isn’t a given, but a challenge. With over 50 member families in the Katherine branch alone, ICPA provides support through grants for boarding, tertiary and vocational studies, ICT access and personal development opportunities that are often out of reach in the bush.
Funds raised in 2024 have had an extraordinary impact. They enabled the ICPA Katherine Branch to expand its grants and awards program, host the NT ICPA State Conference, support Katherine Isolated Children’s Services (KICS), and contribute to Raise Education. The branch also assisted geographically isolated students affected by the 2025 Queensland floods through a donation to ICPA QLD.
“It’s not just about school,” says Ben. “It’s about giving these kids the same chance at a full life and showing their parents that they’re not doing it alone.”
While the dollar figure is remarkable, what truly sets this fundraiser apart is the spirit behind it, shared history, local commitment, and a deep belief in ICPA’s mission to ensure educational access for all children, regardless of distance. It’s a mission the Nutrien Katherine team is proud to stand behind year after year.
As the tent comes down and the show rolls on, the legacy of this year’s effort will live on in classrooms, boarding houses, and family homes right across the Top End and beyond.
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