Mackenzie Guild

Subsequent relocations saw Mackenzie attending various schools, from Big Birds Kindergarten and Airville State School in Ayr to Our Lady’s Catholic School in Longreach, where she flourished not only academically but also in sports and extracurricular activities. Engaging in netball, tennis, cricket, swimming, athletics, and dancing, she showcased her diverse talents. Her weekends were filled with music, motorbike rides, and volunteering, reflecting her deeply held values of faith, acceptance, and service to others.

In 2015, the family moved to an acreage in Charters Towers, where Mackenzie attended Columba Catholic College until 2017. Together with Courtney, she made the decision to further their education at Blackheath & Thornburgh College, marking a new chapter in their academic journey.

Mackenzie Guild's journey continued to evolve in Charters Towers, where she maintained her passion for sports like netball, touch football, and dance. However, her discovery of Mixed Martial Arts became a source of strength, leading her to mentor younger practitioners while also engaging in boxing at the local club, aligning with her fitness goals. Beyond sports, Mackenzie spent her school holidays camping, fishing, and gaining hands-on experience in cattle mustering, fencing, and other practical skills.

In 2019, the family moved to Julia Creek, prompting Mackenzie's transition to full-time boarding at Blackheath & Thornburgh College. Her thirst for education and closeness to family led her to join Georgia at Columba Catholic College, Good Samaritan Residence, as a full-time boarding student, marking a significant phase in her schooling journey.

Mackenzie Guild lived a vibrant life filled with family adventures and exploration. Her family holidays took her to various tourist spots across Australia, from the Gold Coast to camping trips around South Australia, Tasmania, and even to iconic locations like Uluṟu in the Northern Territory. Exploring the beauty of Queensland and beyond was a cherished part of Mackenzie's life. She also had the opportunity to embark on school camps that allowed her to discover cities like Canberra and Melbourne, broadening her horizons and experiences.

Tragically, Mackenzie's life was cut short during an accident in the Clarke River while fencing with her family and good family friend Dan Lyons at Niall. This incident occurred on their way back home after a day of hard work, marking a heart-wrenching end to a day that had been both challenging and fulfilling.

Mackenzie Guild was a spirited Year 10 student at Columba Catholic College, immersed in her studies and actively involved in various aspects of school life. Tragically, her journey was unexpectedly cut short.

Her service was held at the Agricultural Centre at Columba Catholic College on Thursday, October 8, 2020, drawing together friends, family, and the community to pay tribute to her life. Her final resting place is at the Ayr Lawn Cemetery, a serene location that holds her memory.

A memorial also stands in Mackenzie's honour on the Northern side of the Clarke River in Niall Station, serving as a place for remembrance. Each anniversary, a mass is held at this memorial to commemorate and celebrate Mackenzie's life."

Our loss is great, but God is greater.

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Eulogy delivered at Mackenzie's Service by James & Alisha Guild

Our beautiful Mackenzie was born on January 28, 2005- two minutes after her twin sister Courtney. From the beginning the girls were difficult to tell apart. Similar in looks and mannerisms, but Mackenzie always managed to have her voice heard- she squawked loudly and often, eventually turning into an inside joke with parents of other Mackenzies that all seemed to whinge loudly too!

Their doting older sister Georgia was a wonderful help. So often I would be feeding the twins in their bouncers and Georgia – at 18 months- would try and help. She would carry my handbag and a blanket into the supermarket- ready to jump into action if her sisters needed it.

They met their first six months of developmental milestones at Trafalgar Station before we moved into Charters Towers while James went contract fencing.

From the start, the girls had their own language with each other. While we had no idea what they were saying, they understood each other perfectly. But, as with all sets of twins, there are traits that set them apart. Take their room for example. Where Courtney’s belongings are flung from either side and there is a touch of chaos to her space … Mackenzie had a neatness and order about her. Courtney insists on taking all her prized possessions on a trip, Mackenzie made packing light an artform. Her calmness radiated both from her person and from her actions.

As they embarked on their boarding school adventure, the twins were keen to break out of their moulds and become more individual. But Mackenzie was sure to let her sisters know what unconditional sibling love is and always brought them back together. She centred them.

Despite her humbleness and as a quiet achiever, Mackenzie developed a passion for boxing. She took up Mixed Martial Arts and assisted Mr Nick and Amanda with classes for younger students. It was not only a great fitness regime, but gave her the ability to diffuse frustration and tension. She was a keen and determined netball player.

She was also incredibly compassionate and went out of her way to include as many people, from all different walks of life in her circle of friends. She was completely non- judgemental and lovely to everyone. She had a terrific, dry sense of humour that always had us in stitches.

Mackenzie was very creative. I remember her coming home on the holidays and whipping up these incredible paintings, full of colour and detail, that we marvelled at, but she was so humble about them.

The irony of her ideal career of a hairdresser wasn’t lost on us. It took a lot of work to get Mackenzie to make an effort with her appearance. While she really was a natural beauty we tried relentlessly to get her to dress up. Her favourite shop was an op shop where she could grab a bargain for a couple of dollars- or when she was short of change- get a dorm mistress to pop down and pick it up for her later. She was proud of her finds and delighted in dressing in them.

We finally persuaded her to put on some makeup and fancy clothes for a photo shoot with her sisters and friends as part of the launch of Draft and Co in Julia Creek earlier this year. She looked absolutely stunning and as the other females in the family, we were overjoyed!

She was my fluffy haired girl that would always wait til the end of the Guild girl line-up at boarding school to greet me with a warm, embracing hug- a hug that filled my heart with warmth, love and a pride beyond words.

She was full of life, was willing to give anything a go. She was tenacious but had a peaceful and calming aura around her. She was quiet and never one for recognition or to be in the limelight, but somehow, she reached out and touched so many lives with her quiet kindness, gentleness and compassion. Her loyalty to family and friends was deep and strong and was so appreciative of the little things. She never forgot to thank the cook!

We will forever miss her, but will never forget her.

Mackenzie was an adventurer. Whether it be on our family holidays climbing Ayers Rock, camping around South Australia, Tasmania or locally in many of the parts of Queensland we’ve lived, Mackenzie lead the charge in taking in her surroundings, seeing what natural treasures she could find and explore.

She was drawn to animals and was incredibly gentle with them- concerned at all times about their welfare.

Mackenzie was tenacious with work, quick to learn and to think. You didn’t have to tell her many times to do things, she just did it.

We spent many school holidays on Niall Station- camping, hunting and fishing. She loved the property and all it has to offer, including the hard work mustering and fencing.

Mackenzie was a keen fisherwoman and travelled all around the Burdekin River tributaries, camping and working alongside friends and family- adding a light into everyone’s life.

Mackenzie passed away in the Clark River on Niall- a place she loved dearly. There’s no place more fitting for Mackenzie’s soul, as the Clark is a mighty, picturesque river which flows through many North Queensland waterways and into the sea.

We were privileged to walk this earth with Mackenzie, sharing so many good times and wonderful achievements.

Mackenzie has touched so many lives with her beautiful, natural and adventurous spirit and will be watching us walking through heaven, looking on us with a warm smile.

While our time with Mackenzie was cut short, we are so grateful for her wonderful spirit and the time we had with her. She taught us to be more compassionate and to make the most of the time we have with each other, in nature and with our friends and family.

We will always remember Mackenzie for who she was and her beautiful nature.