On Friday 21 April the College’s annual Anzac Day service was held in the DMPC. Although a sombre event, the service offered each and every one of our students and members of staff the opportunity to pay their respects. We were fortunate to have Mr Ken Golden, OAM President of North Gold Coast RSL Sub-Branch in attendance, speaking of the 108-year anniversary of ANZAC, 109-year anniversary of World War 1 and the values of teamwork, endurance, perseverance and mateship that are fundamental for our service men and women. He also reiterated the importance of passing on the tradition of honouring those who fought for our countries to the youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

Students from Prep – Year 12 were in attendance and each year group in the Junior School made a wreath that was laid at the Peace Grove after the Service. During the service, 30 of our Year 6 students laid the badges of local servicemen at the lectern whilst Year 12 student, Amity Fielding, read out the servicemen’s names to recognise their service and pay their respects. This year, we honoured A.B. Paterson College 2018 graduate, Thomas Halloran who served his country with valour and pride. Thomas was recognised again and by his colleagues and superiors as an exceptional soldier and mate and, in honour of Thomas’s memory, we have installed a small plaque in the College’s Peace Grove. 

Year 6 student Aarya Rudrawar presented a moving rendition of the poem, In Flanders Fields by John McCrea and our Chamber Choir and Year 7 and 8 Choir, conducted by Ms Rachel Newcombe and accompanied by Mrs Lexene Marquenie, beautifully performed the hymn, The Recessional, In Flanders Fields by John McCrea, John Jacobson and Roger Emmerson and Always Remember by Ian Jefferson.

I wish to extend a very big thank you to the many staff and students who attended the various ANZAC Day marches on Tuesday 25 April. A long-standing tradition of the College is to have a presence at ceremonies in Helensvale, Seachange Arundel and Upper Coomera. Lawson House Vice-Captain, Amity Fielding, presented a moving speech at Seachange Arundel and spoke of the sacrifices made by those who have come before us, and to live by the values of courage, mateship, and sacrifice. Our Chamber Choir performed moving renditions of Always Remember and Flanders Fields at the Dawn Service in Helensvale, and many students and staff attended the March and Service at Upper Coomera, with our Year 7 and 8 Choir performing at the Upper Coomera Service.

Each and every student who attended the various services across the Gold Coast should feel very proud of themselves for taking the time to pay their respects to the men and women who have served this country to give us the freedom that we now enjoy. 

Charlotte Brook | Head of Senior School

They shall grow not old, as we that are left to grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.