2017 is an integral year for World War I centenaries.  Australia incurred more casualties in this year than any other during World War I, hence the ceremony focussed on the Western Front battles. Our special guests this year were the Honourable Dr Michael Freelander, Federal Member for Macarthur, Mr Walter Robinson representing the RSL and Mr Jeff McGill, former editor of the Macarthur Advertiser.

Payten S opened the ceremony giving the acknowledgement of country recognising the Dharawal People. Nakia E and Chloe J delivered the ‘Prayer of Remembrance’.  Holly O introduced Amelia A’s multimedia presentation for the 2017 Premier’s Anzac Day Scholarship. Amelia A has been successful in securing the scholarship and will be attending a 12 day tour of the Western Front in September. Amelia also spoke on behalf of the College on Anzac Day at Mawson Park.  Merhawit G and Charlotte F introduced Mrs Lennox.

Mr Jeff McGill, local historian and former editor of the Macarthur Advertiser, was the guest speaker and spoke eloquently about the significance of 1917 and the local servicemen and women from Campbelltown who fought in World War I. Caroline A presented her video interviewing staff and students at the College about what Anzac means to them.

The wreath laying ceremony was commentated by Emma S and Jorja B. Teresa S and Mr Walter Robinson from the RSL presented the College wreath and Tamia J and the Hon Dr Mike Freelander presented a wreath of behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia.   At the conclusion of the commemorations, the wreaths were taken by the official party of the Hon Dr Freelander, Mr Robinson, Mr and Mrs Aguiar and students to the grave of Herbert Kitching  and the memorial stone to Stephen Longhurst in the Congregational Cemetery next door to the College. Kitching was from Campbelltown and was gassed on the Western Front. After a year’s hospitalisation, he returned to Campbelltown where he died in 1919 as a result of his war injuries. Stephen Longhurst was killed in May 1917, aged 21 at Bullecourt in France. While his grave is in France, his family put his name on the Longhurst family headstone here in Campbelltown.

Siana U read her prize-winning poem about Anzac Day at the conclusion of the wreath laying. Sierra M read The Ode and Chloe C played the Last Post.  Nakia E and Yutika P took part in the flag raising video that played during the wreath presentation. Mia K, Aaya A and Yutika P did the closing thanks and presented the guests with gifts. At the conclusion of the ceremony the special guests were joined by students and their families at the Gallipoli Centenary Garden for morning tea.

Fran Musico-Rullo - HSIE Teacher