ANZAC Day

Morphett Vale ANZAC Youth Vigil

On the evening of Wednesday 24 April, Aberfoyle Park High School student representative Simone Little joined me at the Morphett Vale ANZAC Youth Vigil in the South ceremony at the Eternal Flame Monument. 

The service was run specifically for students in the area, incorporating the services of organisations such as the Scouts, Girl Guides, Army Cadets, Surf Life Saving SA, St Johns Ambulance, and the SES. 

These groups came together to provide an honour guard surrounding the Monument overnight until the dawn service the next morning. During the formal ceremony to open the vigil, our state Member of Parliament, various local dignitaries and students from schools in the Onkaparinga area laid wreaths and candles in remembrance of all past and present members of the armed forces and their families to honour their service and sacrifices for our country. 

The service was beautiful and sombre, capturing the significance of the sacrifice of our fallen service personnel, as well as the great esteem in which they are held by the community. Tribute was also paid to service personnel who have served in a range of more recent service missions across the world, and to those who continue to serve. It was wonderful to see Simone, along with so many other young people, participate in the ceremony with great maturity and respect to show what ANZAC Day means to them. It is clear that our nation’s history is in safe hands.