General News
30 April, 2025
Holly ready to take on important Anzac Day role
The Mount Isa student was part of a handover event on Anzac Day last Friday.
Mount Isa trumpeter Keith Cox first heard about Holly Greenhalgh when someone sent him a video on social media.
The Good Shepherd Catholic College senior student had been working behind the counter at Isa Donuts on Remembrance Day in 2023 when she pulled out her trumpet at exactly 11am and performed a rendition of the Last Post for the surprised shoppers.
Someone filmed the impromptu performance and sent it on to Keith.
“I watched the video, and I just thought ‘who is this girl?’. So I tracked her down and asked her to join our jazz band, Bandana,” he explained.
Keith brought the curtain down on 25 years of performances at Mount Isa’s Anzac Day services on Friday.
He performed the Last Post and Reveille at the Dawn Service as expected. But at the 10am service, Keith asked Holly to take part in a generational handover.
From the Civic Centre balcony, once Keith had completed the Last Post, Holly then stepped forward to perform the Rouse.
“I was going to let Holly perform the whole morning service, but people were telling me I should still perform something – so we split it up,” Keith told North West Weekly.
“It is like I am handing the baton over to Holly.”
Holly said she was proud to perform for the community on Anzac Day and hoped to be able to take part in future events.
“I was feeling pretty nervous, and I was glad Keith was standing next to me,” Holly said.
“This is a big deal.
“It was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”
RSL Mount Isa sub-branch president Jim Nuttall said he hoped the live renditions would continue at future services.
“I don’t think anything beats a live musician playing at the services,” he said.
“The RSL has been very fortunate to have Keith at all our services for so many years.
“We are hoping the keep the live bugler in the future. We certainly hope it doesn’t end with Keith.”