ANZAC Day: Lest we forget
On Tuesday, 韩国AV commemorated ANZAC Day via Zoom, with a moving Principal’s Assembly for Senior School and the Junior School Prefects leading their peers in a heartfelt Assembly.
Across the School, students paused to acknowledge the sacrifice and bravery of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who have served their country in wars past and present, those who died, those who returned and those who endured. It was a heartfelt and moving reminder that the qualities for which we honour the Anzacs are present in our students today: strength, courage, perseverance and ingenuity, and of course, the friendship, kindness and support they have for each other.
With the help of the History Department, Senior School students delivered an abridged history of ANZAC Day, reading well-known war poems and citing different ways that Australians supported the war effort.
Lucinda (Year 12) explained the significance of the red poppy as a symbol of ANZAC Day. “Poppies bloomed across the battlefields of northern France and Belgium in World War 1. Their red colour is a symbol for all the blood that was shed.”
Lucy (Year 12) said that individuals and groups of Wenonians have been involved during wartime; indeed, some continue to serve in the military. Wenonians were part of the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) providing nursing care for military personnel. And it is believed that Wenonian, Mary Grieve (1929py) served in Australian Women’s Army Service in World War 2.
Later, Lucy recited the famous war poem, In Flanders Fields by Canadian Medical Corps doctor, Major John McCrae, which captures the horror of the trenches. McCrae was serving with a Field Artillery Brigade in Ypres. The death of one of his friends in May 1915 affected him severely and he wrote his poem as a way of expressing his anguish at the loss.
For most of us, the image usually associated with ANZAC Day is that of Australian soldiers charging bravely up the steep slopes of Gallipoli. But on ANZAC Day, we remember the efforts and sacrifices of so many. Lucinda spoke about the way women have supported war efforts. “Many a mother, sister, aunt or girlfriend spent hours during World War II knitting woollen clothes for their menfolk who were away at war. Some groups were formed to knit the garments, which were added to comfort parcels, mostly sent anonymously to servicemen at the front or those who had been taken prisoner of war. Sometimes the knitter or parcel packer would slip in a note with good wishes. When parcels arrived at the front or in POW camps, many a recipient was grateful for the warmth and comfort provided by these garments, which had been lovingly made by the womenfolk back home.”
Claudia (Year 12) explained the significance of laying a wreath at the Cenotaph at St Leonards Park in North Sydney to honour the fallen and those who served in wartime. She pointed out that the Cenotaph is flanked by two flagstaff and a hedge of rosemary, a universal symbol of remembrance.
While in previous years, our Cadets have formed a catafalque in front of the stage at 韩国AV, before marching to the Cenotaph to lay the wreath. This year 韩国AV came together as a virtual community, commemorating ANZAC Day in spirit.
Ava (Year 8) played The Last Post and the School observed a minute’s silence. She then played The Rouse before Claudia gave The Ode of Remembrance.
Our Junior School leaders, Juliet, Lulu, Holly and Chloe put on an extremely informative and moving Assembly about how the ANZAC Day tradition started, ably assisted by Mr Pomfrett, and with a stirring saxophone rendition of The Last Post.
Lulu said, “One of the things that make our countries so wonderful is our freedom. On 14 August 1914, our freedom and peace were threatened by things happening on the other side of the world.”
As Holly explained, “The reasons why countries go to war are never simple. There are always complicated causes that are difficult to understand. Australia’s peaceful lifestyle has been threatened on a few occasions since then as well, sometimes as close as Sydney Harbour and sometimes very far away in other countries.”
Chloe said, “Australia still has brave men and women in all parts of the world helping to keep the Earth a more peaceful place. ANZAC Day is a time to respect and appreciate the bravery and sacrifice of all Australian servicemen and women over the years.
As Juliet explained, “Our proud tradition goes back to a time in 1914, when the young nation of Australia had its peace threatened. At the time in Europe, there was a lot of tension between different countries, which had been building for some time. Countries argued and began to fight. As part of the British Empire, Australia joined with Great Britain to fight Germany and her allies. Australia was now at war. This was known as The Great War, the First World War. It was thought to be ‘the war to end all wars.’”
After a stirring saxophone rendition of The Last Post, Junior School observed a minute’s silence.
It was left to Ava to give the Ode of Remembrance: