Local schools, including Gippsland Grammar and Guthridge Primary School, hosted student-led Anzac Day commemorations last week, honouring those who have lost their lives in service of their country.
In front of Guthridge Primary School’s Lone Pine Tree, student leaders led a whole school Anzac Day service on Monday, April 24, with students, staff, parents and carers spilling across the sporting oval.
Guthridge Primary School student leaders delved into the history of Anzac Day and explained the significance of the Lone Pine Tree on the school’s grounds.
“At the top of the Turkish trenches at Gallipoli, there was a lone pine tree,” a Guthridge PS student leader said.
“The Australians and New Zealanders fought long and hard to get to the top of these trenches, and their battle became known as the Battle of Lone Pine.
“Many, many soldiers were killed trying to reach the top of these trenches.
“The seeds from the original tree which grew at the top of the Turkish trenches were collected and taken back to Australia to grow,” they continued.
“This tree at Guthridge Primary School grew from one of those seeds, and that is why we are having our Anzac ceremony at this place today.”
Guthridge PS Australian Defence Force families laid handmade poppy posies at the foot of the Lone Pine Tree, followed by student representatives Emma Munro and Veer Pattni laying a floral wreath.
The local school’s choir performed a rendition of ‘The Spirit of the ANZACs’, with the Ode, the Last Post, one minute’s silence, the Rouse and the National Anthem concluding the service.
On Anzac Day, Grade 6 student Nicholas Weekes received the Sale RSL John Printz OAM Leadership Award.
The Sale RSL John Printz OAM Leadership Award is open to all young people aged from 10 to 12 involved in a school, sporting club, youth organisation or other organisation within Sale and surrounding area and is presented to those who demonstrate leadership skills, positive contributions in a team environment, values and behave in a manner that indicates that they respect their organisation and the community, problem-solving skills and a positive contribution in some form of community activity.
Nicholas is a Senior Music Captain at Guthridge PS, a key Guthridge PS Saturday morning netball team member and a Sale Scout.
When Guthridge PS principal Emily Streitberg asked Nicholas’ teachers, school support staff, peers, and school leaders about the qualities that make the Grade 6 student shine, she said his unwavering demonstration of school values and expectations overrides.
“Nicholas will have a go at anything that is asked of him in a learning context,” Ms Streitberg said.
“He shows persistence, even when the task is particularly challenging.
“Nicholas can work individually but has many strengths for motivating and guiding when working as a team.
“However, it is Nicholas’ respectful nature that everyone comments on,” she said.
“His use of manners is impeccable, and he expects the same of those around him, making him a terrific role model for his grade-level peers and younger students.
Nicholas can always be relied upon when help is needed and does so willingly and happily.”
Ms Streitberg highlighted Nicholas’ highly competent problem-solving skills saying the Grade 6 student approaches glitches in his day as calmly as he approaches life.
“Whether it is a disagreement on the soccer field, mistakes in a musical performance from concert band, a difficulty with the sound system during a school assembly, a challenging maths problem in class or a social niggle between his peers, Nicholas has a reassuring, and quietly good-humoured manner which allows his peers (or teachers) to focus on the solution to the problem without becoming anxious,” Ms Streitberg said.
“Even if he himself does not have the answers to immediately solve the problem, his mannerisms create an environment in which clear-thinking from all will find a solution.
“This is a tremendously important leadership skill to have, and it unites a group to problem solve together.”
Gippsland Grammar senior students from Australian Defence Force families and members of the Royal Australian Air Force Cadets led the local independent school in an Anzac ceremony around the Garnsey campus’ flag poles on Wednesday, the first day of Term 2.
Gippsland Grammar Year 11 student and Royal Australian Air Force Sergeant Cadet Finn Carpenter was among the students who addressed the congregation of students, teachers and support staff, with Year 12 trumpeter David Ng concluding the commemorative ceremony by performing The Last Post.
Gippsland Veteran’s Centre treasurer, secretary and trainee welfare advocate, and historian for the Sale RSL and Gippsland Veteran’s Centre, Ross Jackson, says Anzac Day is an educational time for children.
“Anzac Day is an educational time for the children and for the younger people,” Mr Jackson said.
“It is an educational time for them to understand what the Cenotaph is all about and the sacrifices of Australian servicemen and women.
“For the families of those named on the Cenotaph, families and friends that are grieving, the Cenotaph is a place to go to, have quiet time, and think about a loved one.
“Every now and again, you will drive past or walk past and see someone looking at it and perhaps reflecting on who’s on there,” Mr Jackson continued.
“It’s really a special place, and it should be treated with dignity, and it should be treated with respect.
“Anzac Day is a commemoration of Anzac Day, it’s also a commemoration of the district’s war dead and the national war dead, and for some people, for the people who have lost something or for the people who have gone through something like that, Anzac Day and Remembrance Day is every day, I think people should remember that also.”
