PETER Mackie was born on Melbourne Cup Day in 1932 so his parents named him after the winning horse, Peter Pan, beginning a lifetime love of horse racing.
It is just one of the anecdotes Mr Mackie shares in a new book, Wise Humans of the Downs, that chronicles the life experiences of 30 Darling Downs seniors.
The book, launched during Queensland Seniors Week, is a special project by not-for-profit organisation YellowBridge QLD in partnership with St Mary's College to uncover, record and celebrate the lived experiences and stories of people aged over 60 years.
Twenty-four students from the Toowoomba college volunteered to join the project and spend time with an older participant to listen to and record stories from their life.
Assistant principal Paul Grealy said the students from years 9-12 enjoyed interviewing their senior partner - some of whom included a few St Mary's Old Boys - and are excited to be part of a published book.
"It was a special opportunity for them to connect with an older person who they are not related to and have an interesting discussion about their life," he said.
"Experiences like being part of this project are invaluable to developing responsible and caring young men."
The project was supported with funding under the Advancing Queensland: an age-friendly community 2018-19 grants program.
Copies of the book are available from YellowBridge QLD at 2a Station Street, Toowoomba.
- (07) 4639-3821, yellowbridgeqld.com.au
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