Remembering our Anzacs
Sometimes, the best laid plans do not quite work out! For the past few weeks, the College had been busy planning for a very special ANZAC Day Ceremony which was scheduled to take place at Centenary Park on Tuesday morning. We were looking forward to being joined by a wonderful contingent of Old Boys and Veterans who were genuinely thrilled to be returning as guests of their College. Unfortunately, our weekend lockdown and subsequent interim restrictions, meant that our College community was not able to gather as planned. However, within Junior School classes and Pastoral Care Groups, students were able to conduct their own ceremonies which included the reading of prayers, poems, the Ode and the viewing of some video messages about ANZAC Day.
In a sincere and symbolic gesture, College Head Prefect, Thomas Tranter and Junior School Head Boy, Henry Clarey laid wreaths in commemoration of all service men and women and on behalf of all former Trinity students who have served their country. Year 12 Student, Jack Le Goueff played the Last Post and Rouse and Year 10 student, Eddie Davis adorned his Airforce Cadet uniform to assist with the raising and lowering of the Australian Flag. Parts of this simple ceremony can be viewed here.
While not able to speak at the Ceremony as planned, the Hon. Graham Edwards AM (’64), kindly sent through his address which was then shared with the students. In it, he reflected on the sacrifice of so many stating that, “They bequeathed Australia this proud heritage and their deaths were not in vain as we live in a wonderful, free, safe and secure nation. Value this freedom as it was hard fought and hard won”. He concluded by thanking the boys for their ongoing acknowledgement and respect for ANZAC Day.
Similarly, I was able to share parts of my planned address, focusing on the qualities reflected in our ANZAC spirit and challenging our students to consider what such a tradition asks of them today. Below is a small part of this address:
’The ANZAC tradition’ - the ideals of courage, endurance and true mateship that are still relevant today - was established on 25 April 1915 when Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula - wading ashore before dawn on a small beach in Turkey. It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including nearly 9000 who were killed or died of disease shortly after. Many of these men were only teenagers, some as young as 16. Some, as our College’s rich 125 year history will attest to, were actually students from this school. They were all anxious to prove that, as representatives of their fledgling nation, they could prove their worth and establish themselves as people who stood for something and who would stand strong alongside others.
The men who served on the Gallipoli Peninsula created a legend, adding the word ‘ANZAC’ to our vocabulary and developed the idea of the ANZAC spirit that we often now refer to. Every year we gather on ANZAC Day – and for us at our Assembly this morning - not to celebrate war, but rather to remember those who have served our country during conflict and crisis. To remember those who are currently deployed overseas, to remember those who have recently served our country and to respectfully look back on those many thousands who have served our country over time.
ANZAC day is not merely a date, but rather it gives reference to a sense of spirit- a chance to reflect on the qualities of past generations of Australians who in hardship, displayed courage, discipline, self-sacrifice, self-reliance, resourcefulness, mateship - and had the conviction to do what is right. As individuals, we could all do with some of these ANZAC qualities and commemorating ANZAC day allows us to reflect and draw upon them.
Some 100 years on, ANZAC Day still challenges us to return to the fundamental philosophy of what a worthwhile life is all about. I believe it challenges us to reflect on what we value. I believe that it asks us to examine those very values that our servicemen, past and present, intrinsically believed in and fought for.
That is:
- a spirit of service before self
- of being in real community where we genuinely look out for each other
- in retaining an abiding sense of honesty and being genuine in our dealings with others
- a sense of individual and group responsibility
- a commitment to cohesive and loving families being at the core of a just and caring society
- and an absolute conviction that the basis of justice for all can be found in sound morals and the Gospel Values that we look to follow at our College.
I believe, that is what ANZAC day asks of us, both on ANZAC Day and, in fact, every day. It is as much about what it challenges us to do in our lives and relationships today as it is a commemoration of battles past.
In acknowledging and honouring our service men and women, I trust that we continue to appreciate their service and seek to follow their example. I hope and pray that we can all be instilled with some of their qualities. Lest we forget.
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
