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âWhen you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.â
These words, from British poet John Maxwell Edmonds, set the tone for Proserpineâs Anzac Day Dawn Service, where generations of military families gathered to pay their respects this morning.
About 300 people gathered outside the RSL for the ceremony, adapted this year because of construction works in town.
Proserpine State High School students were among those who took part in wreath laying to honour fallen soldiers.
As did Proserpine RSLâs patron, 99-year-old WWII veteran George Gnezdiloff.
The crowd was invited to sing both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems, with Shannon Lorraway leading a stirring rendition of the latter.
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Subscriber only It s a rite of passage for the region s high school seniors and Mocktail 2021 proved our future leaders are going out in style. Now in its 29th year, Mocktail has become a staple in the region s high school social calendar with 802 students from 15 schools celebrating at the MECC. Co-organiser Donna Sumpter said students from as far as Proserpine, Glenden and Sarina as well as the Mackay private and public schools celebrated the annual event. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said it was great to see future leaders celebrating a great night.   It s almost a rite of passage for seniors in our area and I know they look forward to Mocktail, Cr Williamson said.
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Subscriber only Leaving a strong legacy and supporting students mental health are two main focuses of the new captains at Proserpine State High School. Tessa Jolley and James Talbot have been named the school s captains for 2021, while Libby Cornish and Luke Handley have been appointed as vice-captains. After a tough 2020, the new captains are determined to make this year a positive one for their peers. Tessa said she truly wanted to make a difference in the school community and leave a legacy. I want to be a school captain that you look back on and think she was a good school captain, Tessa said.
By taking that advice and giving things a shot, Aiden ended up serving on the school’s social-cultural committee, was elected as school captain, participated in school forums and represented Proserpine High at public speaking events.
The list does not stop there, he also organised the school chess club and contributed to the school magazine and newsletter.
He was accepted to participate in the UQ Young Scholars program and is a talented piano player who has donated his time to playing for St Paul’s Anglican Church and at Pinnacle Playhouse events. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox, Proserpine State High School principal Don McDermott, school captain Imogen Tulk, Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert, school captain Aiden Payet and then Whitsunday MP Jason Costigan.