School toasts 125 years

Staff and students prepare for weekend of celebrations

l MOSSMAN

| Isabella Guzman Gonzalez

PAST and present students and staff are reuniting in celebration of Mossman State School’s 125 years of teaching in the Douglas Shire.

In commemoration of first opening its doors in 1898, the school will be holding a birthday banquet at the Mossman Shire Hall on Friday, June 23, and a fete and time capsule retrieval on Saturday, June 24.

Mossman State School retired teacher and alumna Louise Walker is one of the returnees, who will be joining in the celebrations. Ms Walker has a generational history with the institution from her father to her grandchildren being members of the school community.

“It’s quite an achievement,” she said.

“My dad went to Mossman SS, I did too and although my children went to St Augustine’s, my grandchildren go to Mossman SS too.”

Her passion for the school led her to return as an educator where she remained for 35 years before her retirement.

“I’ve been an educator for 47 years, approximately 35 years of those at Mossman SS,” she said.

“It’s a great school to be at, teachers are very supportive, they are great work mates and the kids are great.”

Event organiser and former alumna and teacher at Mossman SS Sonja Craven said it was an exciting occasion for older Mossman SS generations to get together and remember.

“In 1989 I went to Mossman Pre-school before moving away. I returned as a teacher in 2014 through to 2021,” Ms Craven said.

“Mossman is a very unique town, with a lot of interesting history attached to it.

“To see a school grow to be a school of choice in the district and remain open for 125 years is wonderful.

“There are many past students/ staff who are excited to return to Mossman or have their mates return to town for a reunion.

“Our eldest past student (Athena Vafeas of Brisbane) is 98 and has been in contact with us, wishing us the best and sharing memories.”

Ms Walker encouraged other school community members past and present to return to the school and share stories and memories.

“It’d be nice to see a lot of you come back to the school to celebrate and share stories of the school,” she said.

“My husband and my son are playing in the band on Saturday night, we often support the school in that way.”

The banquet on Friday is from 6pm to 10pm at the Mossman Shire Hall and includes live entertainment, raffles and time capsule contributions.

On Saturday, the fete, from 2pm-10pm, will include the centennial time capsule retrieval, there will also be live entertainment, food stalls, face painting, raffles and a cent sale.

“Both events are open to everyone and the invitation extends to everyone,” Ms Craven said.

“There is absolutely no requirement for you to be a current or past student or staff member. We just want to give back to our wonderful community, in return for all their support.”

To buy tickets, visit the Mossman State School Facebook page.

Gazza’s Gossip - P15

Shelter and safe place

l MANUNDA

CAIRNS Regional Council has given the green light for a property at Manunda to continue to be used for short-term temporary accommodation for the next three years.

The arrangement allows the Young Australian League (YAL) to enter into a sublease agreement with the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) for the continued use of Tropicana Lodge for shortterm temporary accommodation.

Although originally used for low-cost accommodation for sporting and community groups, as well as students and families from remote areas, since 2020, Tropicana Lodge has been used by Anglicare North Queensland to provide temporary accommodation for vulnerable groups.

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning

said the arrangement provided critical assistance to vulnerable groups in Cairns, particularly those experiencing homelessness.

“Shelter and a safe place to sleep is a cornerstone of health and wellbeing, and can be the first step in improving one’s circumstances,” he said.

“It has been recognised that the higher standard of accommodation offered at the Tropicana Lodge has promoted a sense of dignity and self-worth among some of our community’s most vulnerable people, leading to better outcomes, such as securing longer-term housing.

“With increased cost of living pressures and rental shortages, it is widely acknowledged that Cairns is facing significant levels of housing distress.

“This includes an unprecedented shortage of social and affordable housing options.”