Around Our School

History Student Mentors

Students have engaged with interesting mentors over the last month. Senior student, Tyler Smith of Year 12 recently interviewed Dandenong RSL President Mr John Wells OAM. Mr Wells a former soldier, a retired School Principal, spoke candidly about his experiences in Vietnam and the lessons that bolstered his adult life. Mr Wells, a published Historian, spoke of the reconciliation that has been ongoing between Australians and Vietnamese. 

above: John Wells and Tyler Smith 

The RSL features a combined Memorial that honours the service and sacrifice of both Australians and their Vietnamese counterparts. This visit is in line with the theme of both learning and honoring Australian’s war service. 

In December of 2014, both Tyler and Jack Rabbidge of year 11 were privileged to interview Mr Alan ‘Kanga’ Moore. Mr Moore, a WWII veteran and famously one of the 39th Battalion which faced down the Japanese Army on the Kokoda Trail in 1942, spoke on his experiences. Like Mr Wells, Mr Moore emphasized the need of a life lived in the service of community.

The Australian History class recently played host to Mr Eddie Chisholm from the Ngukurr community in Arnhemland NT. Mr Chisholm, an initiated man, spoke at length about culture, language and dreaming. Later he led a workshop on Aboriginal Ceremonial dance. As part of the course, students are encouraged to engage directly with Indigenous people as they form their own perspective about Australian Identity.