ANZAC Day was initially a mark of respect for those who served and sacrificed their lives in the Great War. However, in the years since WWI, many other Australian troops have answered the call to serve in conflicts around the world, and the date has become the day on which our nation remembers those who served, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in all the conflicts that Australia has participated in.

To date, over 100,000 Australian service men and women have died whilst fighting in conflicts. Additionally, thousands more have been wounded, many of these permanently, and others have passed away from injury related complications after conflict.

The sobering reality for everyone on ANZAC Day is when we pause to remember every soldier, airman and sailor who sacrificed their life defending our great land. It’s also a time to think about those men and women who continue to ‘answer the call’, serving our country around the globe. Australia has Defence Force personnel currently deployed in the Middle East, Sudan, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

This year, as commemorations are cancelled due to Corona Virus, it is important that we do not neglect to show our respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to make our lives better. As part of our commemoration, staff and students are invited to provide a photograph of themselves with a relative who has represented our country in armed conflict. If you would like to be involved but have no such relatives, then please send through a photo of yourself in uniform with a sign reading “Lest we forget”.

With current social distancing and travel restrictions, it may be impossible to gather with relatives at this time. Please attempt to use technology to overcome this hurdle. For example: students can be photographed with an iPad, laptop or similar device clearly showing the face of the relative they are connecting with.

Please note that all images may be displayed in the College’s newsletters, on the website and via social media platforms.

Guidelines for images:

• Students should be in full formal school uniform.
• If you have a relative who served in a foreign armed service, you are still welcome to participate.
• If you would like to be involved but have no relatives that served in conflict, then please send through a photo of yourself in uniform with a sign reading “Lest we forget”.
• Where possible, please check the quality of the image before sending it through to the College.

If the relative is deceased but you would still like to participate, you might consider:

• Photographing your child in full uniform holding an image of the relative.
• Photographing your child in full uniform wearing the relative’s medals*
• Photographing your child in full uniform with a spouse of a relative who served.

*The Australian War Memorial website asks that, “if wearing someone else’s medals, they should be positioned on the right-hand side of the chest”.

Please submit your photographs via email with the following information:

ANZAC Day Photographs

1. Student’s name (multiple allowed if several students are present)
2. Student’s Year Level
3. Relatives Name (including rank if known)
4. Service/Branch (if known)
   Example: Australian Army, RAN, RAAF, Royal Australian Army Medical Corps
5. Conflict/Operation (if known)
6. Location(s) of Service (if known) 

……………………………………………………………………………….………………………………

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Here is an example that came through today:

Craig Cullen

Assistant Principal Middle Years