AS the nation came together to commemorate 100 years since the first Anzacs landed on the shores of Gallipoli, many Catholic schools in their own special way remembered those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.
At Holy Family School, Indooroopilly, members of the National Servicemen’s Pipe and Drums Band joined serving and retired defence force personnel for a commemorative service.
At Our Lady’s College, Annerley, the focus turned to the many nurses who served during wartime, especially those who never made it home.
Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough, unveiled a huge work of art at the entrance to the De La Salle campus to commemorate the Anzac centenary.
Painted in three sections on marine-grade plywood and measuring 2.8m high and 3.6m wide, the artwork was attached to a stainless-steel frame designed by engineers.
Our Lady of Dolours’ School, Mitchelton, held a special service to commemorate the Anzac centenary – the first in the school’s new memorial garden.
Defence school transition aide Kerri Wilson said for many of the school’s students, the Anzac history was the history of their families.
“Quite a few of them not only have mums or dads in the defence forces, but their grandparents and great-grandparents also served our country,” she said.
Our Lady of Dolours’ parent Lieutenant-Colonel Nick Foxall spoke to students and guests about the lessons to take from the Anzac story, drawing parallels between the principles of the original Anzacs and the values that the school community held dear.
Students at St Peter’s School, Caboolture, remembered relatives, past and present, through the creation of a wall of 100 stories.
Great-great-grandparents through to uncles and aunts serving in Afghanistan, were remembered for their courage and bravery in stories written by students from Prep to Year 6.
A number of parents also came forward to share stories of their grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts who had fought in conflicts over the past 100 years.
Students from Year 6 created 100 poppies to represent the 100-year anniversary and placed them in the garden surrounding the wall to give the effect of a field of wild poppies.
St William’s School, Grovely, created an honour wall to acknowledge all those who had served or who are serving in the Australian Defence Force.
Each student was asked to choose an Anzac or someone from the armed forces who they wished to honour with a commemorative brick. The students then wrote the individual’s name and any relevant information about that person on their brick.
They also created their own poppy to place on the brick in recognition of that individual’s service to Australia.
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