Learning tricks of the trade In memory of US soldier

Paratrooper plunged to death at Green Hill

AN American paratrooper who fell to his death at Gordonvale 80 years ago will be remembered at a special ceremony later this month.

l CAIRNS REGION

TOURISM and hospitality careers have been showcased to 100 Far North Queensland high school students at a Queensland Tourism Industry Roadshow at the Cairns Convention Centre.

The roadshow is part of a travelling series from Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) to introduce school leavers to the scope of possibilities when choosing a career in tourism.

The day’s program included a cooking class with Cairns Convention Centre executive chef David Hart, a mixology masterclass with Lyres non-alcohol spirits, a tourism hub with exhibitors offering career and course advice, a panel discussion with industry leaders and a behind-the-scenes look of the newly expanded event space.

Convention centre culinary services director Benjamin Boudaud said the roadshow was a great opportunity to showcase the wide variety of opportunities available in the tourism industry while helping to spark interest within students to the world of possibilities available to them.

“We need to attract new talent and people to the industry as we continue to rebuild and recover and a platform such as this allows us to share our passion while giving students a better understanding of the event industry," he said.

QTIC chief executive Brett Faser said that it was exciting to see students taking part and learning about what the tourism industry had to offer and being inspired by the diversity of roles and opportunities.

He said the roadshow provided an opportunity to respond to the current workforce issues that had been identified as challenging for tourism.

Over the weekend of June 24 and 25, Reverend Ian Lindsay of All Saints Anglican Church and the Gordonvale community will be hosting a wreath laying, a book launch and a memorial church service in honour of Private Donald L. Wilson and the Paratrooper Infantry Regiment, 503rd Unit.

Attending will be the niece of the paratrooper – Cathy Mechsner – and her husband Ron, the United States military attaché’ from the US Embassy in Canberra and other invited guests.

Rev. Lindsay said everyone would gather to remember and to honour the life and memory of Pte Donald L Wilson and all members of the 503rd parachute regiment.

“The small town of Gordonvale was occupied by hundreds of American paratroopers during December, 1942 until August, 1943,” he said.

“During their posting in Gordonvale, nine members of the

503rd died through accident or mishaps. Sunday, June 25 will mark 80 years to the day when Pte Donald Wilson jumped to his death at Green Hill, Gordonvale.”

Rev. Lindsay said the event was being held after a letter from Mrs Mechsner in December last year. She wrote the letter to thank the church for solving a family mystery.

“On June 25, 1943, our uncle died in a tragic accident during a training jump which American General Douglas McArthur was to attend,” the letter read.

“Unfortunately, and for unknown reasons, our uncle jumped from the plane without either of his parachutes being deployed.

“I learned this information only a few months ago from an online article in the regiment’s heritage website which lists the source as extracts from The Parish Book of All Saints Church, Gordonvale, Queensland, Australia.

“The purpose of this letter is to thank your church for recording this information.

“Without the record, my family and I would not have known what the true nature of our uncle’s passing was.

“Our grandparents and Uncle Donald’s sister and brother, if known, never shared this information.

“We also want to thank the community for the compassion and caring of our uncle for the funeral and his return voyage home.”

The events are:

• Saturday, June 24, at 9am wreath laying at Gordonvale Library and at 10am at Mulgrave Settlers Museum, Gordonvale, the book launch of Parachuting into Love – stories of young women who married 503rd paratroopers 1943-1946. Sunday, June 25 at 9am, memorial church service at All Saints Anglican Church.