The student speakers stand with (far left) local veteran Jeff Swain and (back) members of the Australian Defence Force.
Photo by
Billie Davern
One day before Anzac ceremonies were observed across the country, Seymour College paused to honour not only the nation’s defence stories, but also those that “live here, in Seymour”.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
On Friday, April 24, the college held its Anzac ceremony, which featured prominent local Vietnam veteran Jeff Swain as a guest speaker.
Mr Swain spoke to the Prep to Year 12 students about the importance of remembering Australia’s war history, and the responsibility to serve the country that passes down from generation to generation.
Principal Debbie Oliver stands before a wall of poppies, many of which were donated by the community.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“We remember tomorrow the 111th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, when those young men, not much older than some of you in this room, landed on that beach,” he said.
“The qualities those young men exhibited inspired the nation.”
In recognising the courage exhibited by current and past serving defence force members, the college’s defence captain, Alana Frost, said this quality was shown in many different ways.
(Far left) defence mentor Kelly Quigg and (far right) principal Debbie Oliver praised the speakers' eloquency.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“Sometimes, courage is found charging into battle, sometimes it is found in returning home and rebuilding your life,” she said.
“Sometimes, courage is found in starting again — in a new school, in a new town, while parents get deployed.”
The service involved the forming of the catafalque party by ADF members around a handmade cenotaph.
Students honoured the Anzacs and other serving members by laying wreaths – made from flowers plucked from defence mentor Kelly Quigg’s garden and coloured paper – in the centre of the party’s formation.
A catafalque party formed by the makeshift cenotaph as the school observed a minute of silence.
Photo by
Billie Davern
School captain Paige Cooper said it was important to not only pay respects to those who served in large wars, but also to the local veterans who contributed each day to the community.
“Today we honour our local veterans, not just the famous battles, but the individuals in this very crowd,” she said.
“Their service did not end when they returned home, they continue to contribute, lead and support our community.
“The stories of service we honour today are not just written about in history books, they live here, in Seymour, in the veterans who stand among us.”
Handmade wreaths were laid by students.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Co-captain Owen Brown said the Anzac spirit was carried through to the future.
“The Anzac spirit is not something that belongs to the past, it lives on in the courage of our veterans, the dedication of our serving members and the respect shown by the next generation,” he said,
“Today, and every day, we remember their sacrifice. We honour their service, and we promise their stories will never be forgotten.”
