On Monday 24 April, our school came together to remember those who fought for our country in the First World War and all subsequent conflicts. A parade was held during the morning, led by the Student Council Executive. School Principal, Mr Frank Kingma, School Captain, Joshua Machin and guest speaker and President of the RSL Home Hill Sub Branch, Mr Richard Kelly, delivered very moving addresses on the significance of ANZAC Day. Other invited guests from the RSL included Mr Allan Petersen, Mr Uli Leissmann and Mr Bill Lowis.
During the poppy laying ceremony, students and guests were able to lay wreaths and place poppies of remembrance into a poppy board graciously created by Mr Petersen. After the Last Post, Minute silence, Rouse and the reading of the Ode by Lily Jackson, RSL members presented the winners of the ANZAC Day competition, Jasmine Styles and Lucy Young, with gift cards kindly donated by the Home Hill Sub Branch and certificates for the Special Mentions: Talitha Carroll, Martina Bojack, Joshua Machin and Georgia Howie. A special presentation was also made to our bugler (Year 10 student, David Kelly) by his grandfather, Mr Richard Kelly, for his beautiful rendition of the Last Post and the Rouse.
All student representatives, teachers and invited guests were treated to refreshments in the library, beautifully prepared by Mrs Michelle Berryman and tuckshop volunteers. Staff, students and guests from the Home Hill Sub-branch of the RSL, were also able to view and enjoy the library's ANZAC display (created by Mrs Stacey Koia and Miss Sue Toms), which featured authentic artefacts and photographs of servicemen and women (and a service dog) who had died serving Australia.
As well as the staff aforementioned, thank you also to: Mr Styles, Ms Doyle, Miss Pitt, Miss Chappell, Mr Hung, Mrs Barbagallo, Mrs Karagkiozis, Mr & Mrs Young, Miss Clarke, Mr & Mrs Gall, Mr Newton, Mrs Petrofski, and others for their valuable assistance with the school and community services.
Home Hill High students and staff took up the challenge of attending the early Dawn Service the following morning (ANZAC Day proper), with School Captain, Joshua Machin, repeating his address, and this was followed by the Cemetery Service and Gunfire breakfast, where our student leaders were guests of the RSL. Forty-nine students of all grades, and fourteen staff attended the ANZAC Day march, with eight senior students stepping up as flag bearers to lead the Home Hill ANZAC parade to the Cenotaph. Following the speeches of dignitaries to those assembled, School Captain, Martina Bojack, delivered a poignant address on the importance of ANZAC Day to the younger generation, and Jasmine Styles, Elayna Arboit, Georgia Howie and Lucy Young took up flag officer duties. After the wreath laying and the Last Post, students were treated to refreshments, thanks to the RSL.
Many thanks to everyone involved in any of the ANZAC Day activities. Students and staff fulfilled their roles admirably and won praise from the community for their efforts. Those who have served our country and fought for our freedoms can look at our group of young leaders and know the future of our country is in good hands.
Home Hill High Remembers…
LEST WE FORGET