2019 BATTLE FOR AUSTRALIA CEREMONY

Wednesday 4 September

At the Shrine of Remembrance, students and staff joined veterans in giving thanks to the men and women whose love and sacrifice in wartime, has enabled Australians to live in peace and freedom.

Nelena and Nyssa from Year 11, laid a wreath on behalf of the school as a sign of respect and Ethan from Year 11, made the following speech;

Ethan Carroll

The World War 11 South and West Pacific War.... included the American and Australian defences of Australia’s vital sea communications.

Guadalcanal … in the Solomon Islands … became the ‘epicentre’ of the fight for both … control of sea communications. And, to slow Japanese military expansion.

The Royal Australian Navy contributed significantly during the Guadalcanal … American led … battle campaign.

I was the Australian Navy Commander of the Task Force at Guadalcanal … which included control of ships: HMAS Australia … HMAS Canberra … and HMAS Hobart.

These Australian ships protected the amphibious transports that carried thousands of American Marines ashore … from Japanese attacks.

And, we maintained bombardment of Japanese positions … for the American Marines … once ashore.

Soon after their landing …in 1942 … American Forces took control of a strategic Japanese air base … months of ‘battle bloodshed’ followed.

The Battle of Guadalcanal … in the Solomon Islands … while costly in thousands of lives on both sides … was a major American / Australian success … that lasted six months from August 1942 … to February 1943.

Kristy Mays