(Photo: SMCC)
April 28, 2020
St Mary’s Catholic College marked Anzac Day with a special commemoration at the school last Thursday.
School captains Elizabeth Watson and Kyron Clegg worked with staff to create a video (now on Facebook) addressing the importance of Anzac Day and the Anzac spirit.
“Anzac Day, is not just a public holiday, but a time to honour and celebrate,” Elizabeth said.
“It is a day to honour each and every one who put their lives on the line for our country, Australia. Additionally, it is a time to reflect and acknowledge all who served. Without the ultimate and supreme sacrifice, we wouldn’t be the country or community we are today.”
The school ceremony included speeches from the two captains, a blessing and prayers from local Catholic priest Fr Chukwudi Chinaka and a message by videolink from Wakka Wakka Elder Eric Law, AM.
Elizabeth shared some of her personal connections to Anzac Day.
“I am fortunate enough to experience reading my relatives’ letters sent home from the front and my great grandparents telling me about their experiences,” she said.
“They spoke of a great adventure, places they had been and their eagerness to fight alongside their mates.
“They also wrote about what they missed; their parents, family and friends. Furthermore, my great grandmother was deployed to Archerfield to assemble aircraft.
“They were just like us typical young Australians, and only few years older than Kyron and I.
“Any serviceman or woman is certainly a legend! Together, we won’t let them be forgotten and we should be proud.”
Kyron also shared his feelings:
“My family is very proud to be a younger generation of Australia,” he said.
“This is because of our brave young men and women who were around my brothers and my age who sacrificed their own lives so we could one day live in peace.
“If it wasn’t for these men and women, we would not be able to live the lives we do today.
“For me personally, Anzac Day is the most important day we celebrate as Australians. The Anzacs have taught my family about mateship and teamwork. Anzac Day should be a tradition that is celebrated every year and should never stop.”
Elizabeth and Kyron then travelled to Memorial Park in Kingaroy to lay a wreath made by the students at the foot of the World War I Digger statue.
