Students from Prep to Year 12 gathered on the morning of Thursday 24 April for an ANZAC Day Ceremony to honour those who have served and continue to serve our country. The event was attended by special guests Mr Paul Oates from the Cleveland RSL Club Branch, Hon Amanda Stoker, Member for Oodgeroo, Mr Henry Pike, Federal Member for Bowman, Mr John Miller, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ormiston College, and Mr Gareth Hewson, Member of the Board of Directors of Ormiston College.
The ceremony provided an opportunity for the College community to come together and reflect on the bravery and dedication of our servicemen and women. It featured musical performances and a poem reading by students. The Chorale and Chamber Collective performed In Flanders Field, while wreaths and books were laid by Headmaster Mr Michael Hornby, special guests, and students.
Mr Oates delivered a moving address:
Good morning, everyone,
I’ve been invited to say a few words, on behalf of the Returned Services League, on this the eve of Anzac Day.
Anzac Day is when we as a nation, think of the those who have given their service and some, their lives, so that we may enjoy the benefits of our free and democratic nation.
Our nation came together in 1901, because the various States and Territories decided to put aside their differences and unite as one country. We are the only nation in the world that occupies the whole of a continent.
Our national emblem includes the kangaroo and the emu. Two animals that do not step backwards.
Sometimes it’s hard to understand just what we have. Often, we really only appreciate what we have, when we have to do without it.
I grew up in a time when my grandparents had been involved in the First World War and the Great Depression. My parents also lived through the Second World War and the lack of many things that today, we take for granted.
We need every Australian to learn about the world, and I’m sure your College and your teachers, have this in mind.
In today’s uncertain world, it’s sometimes hard to know where we fit in, and what we need to do.
Don’t feel alone.
As you progress through to adulthood, metaphorically, you are walking in the footsteps of our forebears. You’ll come to know just how much we owe to those people, many of whom you will never meet, who helped ensure we and our nation, are today free and democratic.
Our nation and our world, need people to take an interest and learn from human history. Human nature always remains consistent. If we don’t learn from history, we will continue to make the same mistakes, again and again.
We are only here today, because our ancestors, wherever they came from, never gave up.
The service concluded with a minute’s silence, followed by the Rouse played by our talented Bugler Noah, leaving attendees with a sense of gratitude and humility.
