boys grinned at each other as they returned to the nets. An equal mix of excitement and nerves kept them practicing until the coach finally urged them to go home.
October 25 2014
The game was to be played on the St Kilda oval, giving Moorabbin’s adversaries a home-ground advantage.
The two captains approached the umpire in the centre of the ground for the coin toss. The St Kilda captain won the toss and elected to bowl. He assessed the pitch as being green, which would aid his spinners and give his fast bowlers some reverse swing.
The weather was unseasonably hot hovering around thirty degrees, the oval had been watered thoroughly leading up to the game. The outfield would be very fast enabling many boundaries.
The opening batsmen walked to the crease and took their positions. The bowler ran in from the beach end at great speed delivering a beautiful ball, which took the batsman’s off stump. The score was one wicket for no score.
The Moorabbin side were four wickets down with only sixty runs scored at tea; not a great start. After tea the batsmen only scored ten more runs when another wicket fell. The game was becoming a farce, Moorabbin were being slaughtered.
It was Cameron’s turn to walk to the centre aware the team’s fate was resting squarely on his shoulders.
At the end of the days play, Moorabbin were 5 wickets for 200 runs.
The following day, Sunday, Moorabbin added one hundred runs to their score before declaring at 8/300, Cameron still at the crease with a score of 175.
St Kilda were 2/180 so Moorabbin needed to do something significant if they were to win this game.
After forty overs had been bowled, the captain called on Joshua. Finally it was his turn to prove himself with the ball.
Josh claimed five wickets for fifty runs. St Kilda were dismissed for 280. Moorabbin had won and now their coach faced some difficult decisions choosing next week’s team.
The Spirit of ANZAC
Chapter 3
2014
Joshua and Cameron had previously attended the same primary school, Bentleigh West, before becoming Haileybury College students for the remainder of their school days.
Being an all boy’s school, great importance was placed on the cadet program at Haileybury with students in year 11 and 12 all encouraged to enrol. Both boys were enthusiastic cadets; apart from learning etiquette on the parade ground they learnt weaponry, abseiling and many other skills.
Haileybury had a proud tradition for service in the two major wars of the twentieth century. Seventeen former pupils had been awarded the Victoria Cross, three more the George Cross and yet another three the Albert Medal.
740 old boys died in The First World War and another 518 died in The Second World War. The Boer War had killed 55 former students of Haileybury.
As part of the school curriculum all students, not just cadets, must learn about Australia’s role in both the First World War and the Second World War. A study of battles the ANZAC soldiers fought, including battlefield tactics, is an integral component of the learning process.
Each year the Victorian Government conducts a ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ competition, open to all senior schools in the state. Winners, twelve in all, participate in a study tour either to Gallipoli or The Western Front.
Student entries are required to address the following:
The 2015 Anzac Centenary is a time for us to reflect on the Anzac spirit. To what extent do you think it is relevant today? What can it teach us about the Australia we want for the future?
Students are asked to refer to examples of the Anzac spirit from Australia's involvement in wars and conflicts from Gallipoli through to the present day, and relate those experiences to positive values in their community and activities in everyday life.
Entries should be in ONE of the following formats:
Essay of up to 1000 words
Poem or short story
Audio presentation (maximum 10 minutes)
Video presentation (maximum 10 minutes)
Digital presentation on CD or DVD
Musical composition – a song or instrumental
Web page or PowerPoint on CD or DVD
Artwork – painting, drawing, photograph or textile
Non-essay entries require a supporting statement of up to 500 words.
Joshua and Cameron decided to enter the competition as both felt the trip to Europe would be the opportunity of a lifetime.
Creating a sketch of a battlefield scene was Joshua’s choice, he decided on The Somme.
The Battle of The Somme by Joshua Bowes
Cameron chose the essay option as writing was his forte.
Spirit of ANZAC
By Cameron Davey
I believe that the ANZAC Spirit is still prevalent in our society today, and everyday. Any deed, big or small, can improve a person’s life, and everyone has the ability to show the ANZAC Spirit. Whether it’s looking after a mate who has it rough, helping others rebuild their lives after disaster, volunteering or even just helping a complete stranger in need.
The media shows many people with the ANZAC Spirit. Yet, I believe the ones who are nameless to the media, are the ones that show the ANZAC Spirit so much more. Large tragedies occur in our world every year, with plenty of media attention.
However we don’t see the deeds that go on behind the scenes in local communities, the everyday heroes. For example, Moira Kelly and her acts of humanitarianism. By developing the Children First Foundation, she has changed many lives, and I see this displaying the ANZAC Spirit.
Black Saturday fires and floods in New South Wales and Queensland, are examples of disasters that have left many people to rebuild their lives. The selfless work that went on behind the scenes, to raise money, and to clean up homes was spectacular.
Queensland’s Emergency Volunteering initiative is an example of the ANZAC Spirit as any Australian, can help out a fellow mate or stranger, by registering their profession, and if an emergency occurs, you can immediately help.
To me, the ANZAC Spirit has no limits. The way in which Australian and New Zealand battalions risked their lives for our country back in 1915, may never compare with many acts displayed in society today. Yet, we all need to thank these ANZACs from Gallipoli, and the ones still serving today, for making our world a safer place.
Living the ANZAC Spirit can teach young Australians so much about the future
