College ANZAC Tribute

Student Achievement – ANZAC Day commemorations

ANZAC Day is always a special day on our national calendar. At East Doncaster Secondary College we take great pride and effort in ensuring that the service and sacrifice of our men and women in conflicts over the past 120 years and the origins and ethos of the ANZAC spirit is acknowledged and respectfully observed. Last week, we were able to do so in a highly visible manner that not only resonated throughout the College but also within our wider local community.

At our College assemblies conducted last Monday, the first day of our new term, to commemorate ANZAC DAY, a moving tribute was presented by our senior student leaders. The commemoration culminated with readings of the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ and ‘The Ode for the Fallen’ and a minutes silence following the ‘Last Post’. Finally, our students joined together for a rendition of the National Anthem. It was pleasing to note the preparation undertaken by our students to present at these assemblies and the attention and respect shown by our students during these moving assemblies.

For the first time ever, on ANZAC Day, last Tuesday, our College was invited to play the leading role in the organisation of the Doncaster RSL ANZAC Day Dawn Service. Our Assistant Principal Cameron Campbell and Student Leadership Coordinator, Tim Bourke along with our Senior School Captains, Mia Cutugno, Oscar McNamara, Mariam Elmeligi and Jayden Pong all contributed significantly to the planning and presentation of this event. We were very honoured that Mia and Oscar were selected to be the masters of ceremony and Mariam and Jayden took part in the ceremony by reciting two poems. Further to that, our Euphonic Choir, ably led by Tina Marchant, sang a stirring rendition of ‘I am, you are, we are Australian’ before the guest speaker, the Honourable Member for Menzies, Mr Keith Wolahan, delivered a very moving ANZAC Day reflection based partially on his experiences as a four-time tour commando in the Armed Services.  We were very proud of our students and the very well attended service on a beautiful Doncaster dawn, was such a fitting tribute on this solemn day.

Following this, on Thursday, our College was well represented when seven members of our Student Leadership Team attended the Rotary Club of Templestowe Schools Anzac Day Service involving over 500 local primary and secondary students at the Templestowe Memorial Reserve. Our Senior School Captains Mia Cutugno and Oscar McNamara were asked to read the ANZAC requiem at the official ceremony and Jayden Pong laid a wreath at the memorial during this ceremony.

So what can and does ANZAC Day mean to our students?

That is always a difficult question to answer without generalising, but it is our sincere hope that the sacrifices by Australian servicemen and women over the past 120 years will remain relevant, respected and connective. The following words came from a reflection on ANZAC Day by a Year 10 student (name withheld upon request);

On ANZAC Day, spare a moment to think about the sacrifices and losses of our previous generations. Respect the fact that our country has suffered but has come out of hardship tougher. Respect the families that have lost so much, but still gave their heart and soul to this country. 

Everywhere I look, I see the ANZAC spirit. In Australians, I see resilience. In Australians, I see grit. In Australians, I see a humility, and a love for life. This is our identity, resilience, grit, humility, and courage. 

The 25th of April is a reminder of our identity. It is a reminder of when as a country, we persevered through hardship, and forged our never-say-die attitude. It reminds us of the sacrifices and of the suffering that older generations soldiered through, in order to give us the country that we have now.

Let ANZAC Day also remind you that there are still men and women away from their families, fighting wars for countries which are not their own. Let it be a day, where as one nation, regardless of our colour, regardless of whether we have come by boat, plane, or have been here since the beginning of time, we acknowledge the birth of a united identity.