After 19 years in the home schoolroom, Virginia Elliott has seen all sorts of technology used to deliver distance education lessons but on Monday she and husband Brett farewelled it for the last time.
Virginia has educated their six children through the Longreach School of Distance Education from their home outside Winton, experiencing everything from crackly radio lessons to two-way visual communication via the internet.
Their youngest son, Billy was one of a dozen year six students also saying goodbye to their primary years at the school's 33rd graduation ceremony on Monday evening.
Principal Bobby Harding told the students, who will be studying next year either through the distance education Western Alliance or at boarding school, they were becoming more independent every year and could look to great things coming their way if they stayed the dedicated path.
The night's guest speaker was Dolly's Dream ambassador Tom Curtain.
The singer-songwriter based at Katherine in the NT grew up on a beef cattle property at Kingaroy and experienced boarding school, tertiary studies at Gatton and work in stock camps, and he had a message of support for the students watching.
Together with Winton student Lincoln East, they unveiled a new Buddy Bench for the students before singing a rendition of Speak Up, recorded with Sara Storer.
Founding LSODE staff member Ron O'Rourke, who passed away in July, was remembered on the night, with Mr Harding saying he was very much missed, around the school and on the night.
Mr O'Rourke started as the school cleaner even before its official opening in 1987 and spent 33 years on staff.
Ilfracombe's Will Cameron was named the Sportsperson of the Year after his prowess on the cricket pitch, athletics track and cross country paddock, for the school, the Central West and North West teams.
Prize of Honour awards for 2019 went to Elke McClymont, Longreach (year six) and Madison Hall, Muttaburra (secondary).
Jacy Morton received the year six Best All-round Student award while Jundah's Louise O'Neil was the secondary recipient.
After much anticipation, Heath Rea and Phoebe Webb were named as 2020 Boree House sports captains, with the Coolibah House honour going to Will Cameron and Livia Robertson.
The 2020 school captains will be Sam Petersen and Ashley Whitehead (primary) and Jack Chalk (secondary).
The ceremony finished with huge cheers as Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies was announced as the 2020 school musical, and a rousing rendition of the school song, Sing Oh for Outback Children.