St Joseph's College, Echuca

Humanities News

ANZAC Day 

On Wednesday the whole St Joseph’s College community gathered at our Anzac memorial at Brigidine Campus to remember and honour the Anzacs and all who served and continue to serve their country. We remembered those who were injured and impacted by war as well as families and communities whose loved ones never returned.  

 

We were honoured by the presence of representatives from the Echuca RSL and Moama RSL sub-branches and our guest speaker, Mr Drew Clyne, Vietnam veteran (Operator Keyboard & Radio, OKR) from the 110 Signal Squadron, who shared recollections of three generations of the local Clyne family’s involvement in international conflicts, WW1, WW2 and Vietnam with us. We thank Mr Clyne’s son, Brock Clyne, for his attendance also. 

 

As a collective prayer for peace, to symbolise our deepest gratitude for and remembrance of the sacrifices made, as well as in the spirit of our 2024 College theme ‘Hope’, all learning mentor groups from both campuses, staff and members of our extended College community created sixty ‘Living Wreaths’ made from succulents and rosemary, symbolising hope in many ways:

 

Resilience and Perseverance: 

Succulents are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in harsh conditions. This characteristic can be reflective of the enduring spirit of the soldiers commemorated on ANZAC Day, who demonstrated remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. The wreath serves as a metaphor for continuing life and endurance, inspiring hope amidst difficulties.

 

Growth and Renewal: 

Succulents continue to grow and can even root themselves to create new life. This ongoing growth and renewal signifies hope for the future and the possibility of healing and new beginnings after loss or hardship.

 

Everlasting Nature: 

The robust and lasting nature of succulents, which can survive in extreme conditions and require minimal maintenance, symbolises the everlasting memory of the fallen and the undying hope that their sacrifices were not in vain. The living wreath stands as a constant reminder of both remembrance and forward-looking optimism.

 

Visual Symbolism: 

The vibrant, jewel-like quality of succulent plants is a visual element of brightness and beauty.  Their lush appearance brings a light of hope and the comforting reminder of life’s beauty, even in times of sorrow.

 

 

Led by our principal, Ms Anne Marie Cairns and Executive Assistant to Principal, Ms Maree McNamara, the wreaths were brought forward to our memorial as we read out the names of the 13 servicemen and women from our own school community who did not return home. 

 

Corporal James Corby

Private Leonard Lamb

Private Leo Waters 

 

who lost their lives in WWI. 

 

Sergeant Max Brady, 

Sergeant William Brady, 

Flying Officer Wilbur James Dowling, 

Flight Sergeant Gus Kearney, 

Pilot Officer Hubert Lenne, 

Flying Officer Hector Cairns McKenzie, 

Sergeant Pilot Duncan John McKenzie, 

Flying Officer John Ryan (RAF), 

Private Joseph McKenzie Skelly and 

Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Stokes (RAF) 

 

who died for Australia in WW2.

 

A number of these wreaths were then gifted to local organisations and businesses.

 

We thank all students and staff involved in our liturgy and service, including but certainly not limited to: 

 

  • Welcome to Country Ms Brenda Auhl; 
  • Readers Spencer Barber, Jake Barden, Ruby Carne, Kajini Karunanayake, Alyssa Morphett, Jaime Nunan, Angela Warren, Ms Alma Simmonds, Ms Ange Tutty, Mr Grant Kemp and Mr Rob Mai (The Ode); 
  • Receiving and hanging wreaths Director of Campuses, Ms Geralidine Ryan and Mr Jarrod O’Brien, students Lillie Taylor and Will Brennan; 
  • Music items soloists Georgia Armstrong, Maggie Oliver, Joshua Parker and Lily Vincent, Kildare Choir members Payntten Cassidy, Charli O’Donnell, Maggie Oliver, Peyton Olsson, Joshua Parker, Lilly Parsons, Ebony Peace, Amelie Turner, Lily Vincent with Ms Julie-Ann Watson; 
  • Flag duties Daniel Aadrians, Elijah Beriman and Matthew Collins; 
  • Delivering wreaths to the community Year 9 leaders Addyson Beriman, Daniel Aadrians, Jaxon Hogan, Lacey Smith, Eden Thomson & Michaela Williams with Mr Brock Kennedy; 
  • And many, many more with involvements such as pruning succulents (almost everyone!!) and rosemary (again almost everyone, bundled up by our Hands on Learning students;  all LMs wreath making and many other staff; ANZAC biscuits Ms Mai and Ms Thomson’s Foods classes; set up by our maintenance team; hooks for wreaths Mr Vince Molluso; Anzac display in the Chapel Mr Matthew Wilson;  Sound and Light Solutions, Ms Cassie Leopold; and still many, many more. 

 

This was a whole College community effort and event and every part of the service and liturgy reflected this.

 

One Culture, One Community, One College: Multi Campus. 

 

The College liturgy and service was followed by students, staff and families, joining with Moama, Deniliquin and Echuca communities on Anzac Day in solemn remembrance and to honour the service and sacrifices of the Anzacs and all who served and continue to serve for our country. 

 

We were honoured and grateful to be involved in laying wreaths, singing, raising flags and reading the Requiem. We also acknowledge the many students and staff who represented other community serving organisations such as SES, Girl Guides and Cadets. 

 

A special mention to our students who represented the College on Anzac Day: 

  • College Captain Sam Chapman and Year 12 Leader Harry Limbrick who read the Requiem for Echuca; 
  • College Captain Kajini Karunanayake and Year 12 leader Amy Parker who conducted flag duties in Moama and laid a wreath; 
  • Year 12 leaders Harry Limbrick and Amy Parker who laid a wreath in Echuca; 
  • Payntten Cassidy and Gabrielle Jansen who laid a wreath in Deniliquin;
  • Soloists and student leaders Maggie Oliver and Joshua Parker who sang The Spirit of the Anzacs and The Australian National Anthem for the Echuca service.

 

 

Hope-filled, inspired to act with compassion, and to serve with humility, as a school community we work towards a future where love overcomes hate, where nations embrace in understanding and where hearts find justice and peace.

 

Lest we forget.

 

Ruth Phillips &  Allison O’Brien

Humanities Learning Leader & Arts Learning Leader