Community
9 May, 2023
"Gazza´s Goss: It’s all Rosie for Ross in Port"
FROM my old part of the World, the term ‘elope to Gretna Green’ was well known for couples wishing to simply run off and get married.
Although this quaint village in Scotland is far from unpleasant, personally I would prefer the option of eloping to our tropical paradise.
Eloping, in fact, may be a slightly strong term for our newlyweds Ross and Rosie Cincotta, from Melbourne.
Although they did leave the family at home, they did not do a runner, as such, to tie the knot at Little Cove in Port Douglas.
Rosie and Ross have known each other for 30 years and it was after a visit last year to the Douglas Shire that they made the decision to return for this special occasion.
They arrived last week completely on their own, with their only local contact being a friend and now Port resident Joyce Coyle.
People in the shire love a celebration, so it didn’t need much arm twisting to convince Joyce to be a witness.
During the pre-wedding discussions, no doubt at a local watering hole, another Port resident, Heidi Plainer, offered Rosie and Ross her bright red, pride and joy, Ford Mustang as the wedding vehicle.
This gesture, plus the beautiful seaside venue, pretty much ticked all of the boxes for a perfect day.
Shaz’s ANZAC Day gesture
ANZAC Day is always very special for many individuals from either side of the ditch. Various locations in the Douglas Shire provided the opportunity for locals and visitors to pay their respects to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.
One particular individual showed her gratitude early on ANZAC Day morning by giving the graves of Diggers and other individuals, who are laid to rest in Mossman Cemetary, her yearly tidy up.
Sharon Osborne, or ‘Shaz’, lost her female best friend Jacqui in 1981 and male best friend Johnny in 1982. She made a promise to her friends and their parents that she would always look after them and Shaz is one to always keep her word.
In fact, Shaz has been carrying out this kind deed for 42 years and has never missed a year.
Both friends were lost in car accidents and on each occasion Shaz should have been in the vehicle herself. As a result, she feels it is extra special for her to do what she does each year.
Shaz has always done this on ANZAC Day which she believes is ‘give back’ day. She does her friends graves, their parents who were three diggers, brother in laws and family members. The most Shaz has done is 21 graves in one day.
“It’s something I love doing and it is a great sense of satisfaction knowing they are not forgotten” Shaz said.
It’s truly a great story.
I’m off to salute all of our amazing local people, so for now it’s Gazza signing out.
Send your stories to gazza@cairnslocalnews.com.au
