or stranger, just out of the goodness of their heart.
It is our responsibility, the future ANZACs to display the ANZAC qualities, to make our country a place where everyone belongs, and where we all feel safe. The ANZAC Spirit will live long in the hearts of Australians, and I hope that it will stay evident in society for the rest of Australian history.
*Essay by Jasmine Davis, College Captain - Sacred Heart College Geelong
Both boys were hopeful but not overly confident. They knew there would be very tough competition not just from within Haileybury but the entire Victorian school system.
Cameron was summoned to the Headmaster’s office one Monday morning. He couldn’t think of any thing he’d done of late which would necessitate a visit to Mr. Cornish’s office.
He was asked by the Headmaster’s assistant to take a seat and spent a very nervous twenty-minutes in the waiting room before the Headmaster, resplendent is his black robe, beckoned Cameron inside his office.
‘So Cameron, you’re probably wondering why I summoned you here this morning?’
‘Yes sir.’
‘Don’t look so worried boy. You’re not here for punishment but for congratulations.’
‘I am sir?’
‘You have won the ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ competition with your excellent essay.’
‘Wow I can’t believe it. That’s awesome.’
‘It certainly is awesome, as you say.’
‘Did any other boys from the school win sir?
‘No, I’m afraid not, I would have liked to see more win.’
‘Will I get a letter about it all sir?’
‘Yes, I expect you will. I’ll make the announcement at assembly tomorrow morning.’
Cameron left the Headmaster’s office and returned to the classroom. He had difficulty concentrating in English class his mind was half a world away on The Western Front.
At lunchtime he was approached by Joshua.
‘What was that all about? Are you in trouble?’
‘Nope.’
Cameron recounted his visit to the Headmaster and the competition news.
‘That’s fantastic mate, congratulations. I guess that means I missed out. Never mind I gave it my best shot.’
‘You sure did. I thought your sketch was fantastic.’
‘Yeah, thanks mate.’
‘There’s the bell. Suppose we better get to bloody Maths.’
April couldn’t come fast enough for Cameron. He was to depart for France on the 11th and start the Western Front battlefield tour on the 15th, the tour concluding on April 26th, the day after the ANZAC Day ceremony.
April 11th 2015
Twelve excited students gathered at Melbourne airport, having met once before when they attended a trip briefing, their chaperones were Ian Jones, Deputy President of the Victorian RSL, and Patricia Jennings, Head Mistress of Brighton High School.
Once on board the plane, everyone settled into their economy class seats eager for the experiences ahead of them.
After what seemed like a lifetime they arrived in Paris via Dubai, where they’d stopped for two hours. The next two days in Paris were for the students to discover the art galleries, museums and of course monuments such as the Eiffel Tower.
The unanimous opinion: Paris was magnificent.
April 16th 2015
The school group caught a Metro train to Gare du Nord where a fast train would take them to Lille and the battlefield tour would begin.
They were accompanied by Gordon Wilson, a senior guide from Boronia Battlefield Tours.
Battlefield Tour Map
Cameron and all the students found the tour both informative and heartbreaking.
Gordon spoke of the thousands of boys, aged fourteen to seventeen years, who had lied about their age and enlisted to fight in World War 1. Many died, including some who were executed by firing squad for desertion and cowardice. This particularly moved the male students of the same age. It could have been them.
Their final stop was Villers-Bretonneux for the ANZAC Dawn Service. The night before the ceremony a copy of the proceedings was distributed among the students.
Official Anzac Day Commemorations 2015
ANZAC Dawn Service
Wednesday, April 25th 2015
Site Opens 3 a.m.
Ceremony Commences 5.30 a.m.
Venue: The Australian National Memorial
Villers-Bretonneux
Villers-Bretonneux Cemetery
Standing in the cold darkness, facing memorial, they contemplated what had taken place a century ago. Not only in Villers-Bretonneux but across the entire Western Front, Gallipoli and the Middle East. Soldiers who had left their homes on their great adventure, only to be confronted with horrible conditions with far too many lives lost through ill conceived and badly executed battle plans. Despite the breadth of the First World War Allied soldiers including the Australian diggers had overcome extraordinary odds and achieved peace.
At dinner, the students and chaperones had discussed how long peace had lasted until another generation was sent away to the Second World War, and then Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. In total more than 100,000 Australian diggers have died, all in their prime of their lives. In wars occurring since 1860 with the American Civil War, the number of people killed totals more than 175 million, a number increasing all the time.
The sound of drums cut through the darkness and the students’ thoughts. The catafalque party slowly approached the cenotaph. The catafalque party consisted of four members of the Australian armed guard who stood, their heads bowed and their weapons reversed, facing outward approximately one metre from the catafalque (cenotaph) as a symbolic form of respect for those who have fallen.
Cameron felt quite special amongst the group, as he was the only one wearing khaki, dressed in his cadet uniform. The ceremony proceeded with the singing of hymns and an address given by the Australian Minister of Veteran Affairs. Wreaths were laid as a lone bugler played the Last Post followed by a minute’s silence, later agreed by the students
