Deputy Principal

ANZAC Day

Last Friday we gathered as a College community for our ANZAC Day ceremony on Breen Oval. As I mentioned to our young men, ANZAC Day is one of the most important days on Australia’s calendar as we pay tribute to all of those that have served in our military as well as those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and never returned home to their families. 

We were honoured to have retired Colonel Derek Leslie attend the ceremony and give the Anzac Day address. Colonel Leslie had a distinguished career spanning 28 years of service in our armed forces. He reminded us of all that the freedoms we enjoy today were fought for by Australians and other allied nations and that we should not take them for granted. We are lucky in Australia as we have been relatively free from conflict on our own soil for decades. Colonel Leslie challenged our young men to think about what they would do, and would they serve, if conflict hit our own shores. 

Mr Brennan reminded us of the words of Pope Leo, “Blessed are the peacemakers… but woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain.” We must always remember that we should not normalise war. We should not seek war for our own political purposes, and we should always make peace a priority.

Friday’s Anzac Day ceremony was a reminder to us all that we should always remember those who have gone before us. We must honour all of those who have served and continue to serve our country, and we must continue to support those who have returned from war and who suffer from physical and emotional scars. 

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

Adrian Byrne

Deputy Principal