ANZAC Day

A Sombre ANZAC Service Before Lockdown

Article by Franchesca Barrameda - Year 9 Journalism Class

On Friday the 23rd of April, the King’s College hosted their annual ANZAC Day service for the secondary students to commemorate the fallen soldiers who fought during the various wars Australian soldiers have been involved in. 

The ceremony began with a bugle sounding with saw the Australian flag being brought to the front of the auditorium. After the national anthem, special guest Mr Ron Hiscock, the former RSL (Returned and Services League) president addressed the assembly and talked about what ANZAC day means to him and his experience in the war. 

The special assembly also featured Year 9 student Destiny Wardell reading a heart-warming “letter” from a soldier during World War. The correspondence was part of a History assignment where she had to write from a soldier’s perspective.

A couple of song performances by students and a video in which students spoke about what being brave meant to them and their experiences with overcoming their fears helped conclude the assembly.

Mr Hiscock was wearing the medals of both his father and grandfather, which had a special significance for me as I have several family members who have served in the army and fought in wars.

My great grandfather on both my mother and father’s side fought in the war between the Philippines and Japan in the 1940s. My mother, Melissa Barrameda was enlisted to serve in the Philippine Army, and my father Francis Barrameda was a Second Lieutenant when he served as a cadet during high school and university. My uncle on my mother’s side, Nick Nick Illong, is currently enlisted in the Philippine Army. 

Perth was plunged into a snap lockdown later that day but despite it, my family and I took part in the ANZAC Day Driveway Vigil. My brother and I were dressed in our Air Force uniform and we all stood outside at around 5:55am with our candles. It was good to see many of our neighbours doing the same thing.