Significant Events

ANZAC Day

This year, students from DSC were involved in three ANZAC Day commemorations.

The first was the Manningham City Rotary Schools ANZAC Day service held at the Templestowe Memorial Reserve. The College Wind Symphony did a fabulous job providing the live music for this event including hymns and both the Australian and New Zealand National Anthems which were led by the fabulous singing of Year 12 Ella Royal. Among the over 600 Manningham students attending the event were the members of 9E along with Mr Lucas and Mr Morris.

This year we were also invited to lead the Doncaster RSL’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service. I am incredibly proud of the College Captains and the Wind Symphony for leading this important community event at the Doncaster RSL Cenotaph. 

All six College Captains were there representing the College with Sophie and Patrick acting as MC’s throughout the service. Ella, accompanied by the Wind Symphony then led the singing of the hymn ‘O God Our Help In Ages Past’. Harrison presented an engaging address about local 99 year old WW2 Veteran David Westward. This address was put together by Harrison after David generously agreed to be interviewed about his experiences. It was a privilege to be present during the interview at which David was very generous with his time. Some of you may have watched the interview from links previously sent out on compass posts. A rendition by the Wind Symphony of Waltzing Matilda was then followed by Sophia reciting the poem ‘I Do Not Know You’ keeping the audience captivated during the journey that the poem takes you on.  Other speakers included Keith Wolahan MP, federal member for Menzies and Afghanistan Veteran, Rev. Andrew Price and Doncaster RSL president and Vietnam Veteran Dennis Clarke. After the blessing, Ode, minutes silence and Last Post, Ella and the Wind Symphony conducted by Mr Dean, led the New Zealand and Australian Anthems. Olive then laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the College to the sounds of a lone piper. Thank you to the RSL and Dot Haynes OAM for inviting the College to lead the service.

We then had a school ANZAC commemoration on Friday 26th April led by members of the SRC. Thank you to Rebecca, Matilda, Sophia, Harrison, Andrelle, Lamar, Sienna, Eden, Soroush, Ella and Diba for their contributions to this service. Thanks also to Flick, Alex, James and Brad for doing the tech and Mr Sprigg for assisting with the set up. 

Thank you also to the members of the SRC and front office staff for selling ANZAC Day badges on behalf of the RSL and all members of the College community who purchased them.

Anzac Day has been an important date in the Australian calendar since 1916. At first it gave people a chance to honour the original Anzacs. Then it became a day for those who had served in the First World War. With Australians experiencing the Second World War, Vietnam War and other wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations that have followed, Anzac day has become an occasion to honour all who have worn our country’s uniform in service.

Wendy Howes

Significant Events Coordinator, Social Connections coordinator - The Arts, VCE Music.