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.
Now Mr Connors has racked up more than 20 years as the SES local controller, is a trainer with the central region training team and a team leader for local, state and national SES competitions. On top of that, he s also a judge in the competitions. Whitsunday Mayor Andrew Willcox (centre) with 2021 Citizens of the Year for Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine and surrounds Mark and Sue Connors. Photo: Elyse Wurm Mrs Connors has been the Proserpine group leader for about 13 years and has also spent almost two decades as the state peer support officer, helping take care of members psychological health.
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High achievers from across the Whitsundays have been honoured for their hard work and dedication.
At three ceremonies in Collinsville, Bowen and Airlie Beach, Australia Day Awards have been handed out to recognise those who help make the region great.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said it was always a great honour to be part of such a special day.
“On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what’s great about our country and reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian story,” he said.
“We reflect on the history, both highs and lows, of an extraordinary nation and the new chapters being written every day.
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Subscriber only Whitsunday residents breathed a collective sigh of relief as the clock struck 12 last night, bidding good riddance to 2020. But last year wasn t all hand sanitiser and social distancing. Here are some of the biggest stories that made headlines in 2020.
Curious find at Bowen crime scene After numerous police specialists spent hours investigating reports of a body found wrapped in a blanket near Bowen, the investigation ended with an odd find. Specialists from the district and local Bowen Police officers attended the scene on a walking track off the Bruce Highway near Bowen on May 19. They began a land search after a member of the public phoned police believing they had discovered a dead body.