AROUND THE COLLEGE & BEYOND

Reflections on Our ANZAC Day Assembly

By Lachlan Mann-Jones - Year 12`

ANZAC Day is the most important day in Australia’s calendar. This day of commemoration and remembrance honours the men and women who have served and are currently serving Australia, and for this reason, it is only fitting that St Augustine’s College holds an assembly to remember the sacrifices made by these heroes.

It was my honour, after four years of being a part of the school’s yearly ANZAC Day parade as an Australian Air Force Cadet, to command this year’s parade. Preparation for the parade began in Term 1, when all cadets attending the parade were taught how it was going to be conducted. From the beginning they were motivated to learn new skills to perform the best they could out of respect for Australian service men and women. After many hours of practice over many weeks, the parade began and was a great success. The cadets performed very well, and I, along with many staff, and special guests were proud to see such dedication from these young men. 

Our special guest was Saints Old Boy and Royal Australian Navy Captain Darryn Mullins, who gave an enlightening speech about the importance of ANZAC Day to all Australians, as well as retelling the unforgettable and inspiring stories of the brutal battles fought by brave Australians, giving students a true perspective of what these incredibly brave men and women have done. The Last Post was performed by college Arts Captain Mathew Christensen, followed by a minute’s silence, then the Rouse and the raising of the Australian flag to full mast. The National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand were then sung beautifully by the school community. These small things help keep the ANZAC spirit alive, and the dedication and hard work put in by students, cadets, choirs, etc. all show how important it is that we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation.

Lest we forget.

We Shall Remember Them...

By Andre Ahloy - Year 12

One hundred and eight years ago, the Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli to fight and to defend our nation. One hundred and eight years on, and the bravery and their sacrifice are commemorated still, known forever as the ANZACs, the ones who protected our way of life. More than a century on, and the profound impact of the ANZACs lives on. 

At the Cairns Cenotaph in the early hours of dawn, hundreds of Cairns residents and veterans gathered to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers of World War One, with an additional commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the veterans who served in Vietnam. Numerous guest speakers, active and retired service men and women, relatives of veterans, and the general public amassed to pay their respects through the laying of wreaths and speaking of the great sacrifice the Australian and New Zealand men and women had given. Regardless of the early morning weather, the ranks of servicemen and cadet branches stood by the waterfront as a guard to the cenotaph, with the catafalque party unwavering.

The National Anthems of Australia and New Zealand were sung by combined school choirs of St Augustine’s and St Monica’s, with the Last Post played, followed by the minute's silence and Reveille played by students of St Andrew’s. The flowers and wreaths that lay overflowing by the base of the cenotaph truly stand as testament to the never forgotten actions of our fellow ANZACs, a symbol only overwhelmed by the marching of hundreds down the Cairns Esplanade. Not only were active servicemen and women amongst the ranks, but the retired, veterans, families of veterans, defence force cadet branches, school communities, and the general community of Cairns, with an added display of military vehicles. The combined community and music filling the early morning streets of Cairns stand as a strong reminder of our acknowledgment and gratitude towards the thousands of Australian and New Zealand men and women who laid down their lives serving our country to defend our land and way of life, and that most of all our remembrance of their sacrifice will never cease to exist.

Lest we forget.