Today we gathered as a community to commemorate Anzac Day. On 25 April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers landed on Gallipoli. Since then, on Anzac Day, we remember more than 1.5 million service people who have served our nation in all conflicts, wars and peace operations. We remember over 103,000 Australians who sacrificed their lives in our country’s name. We also remembered the families and loved ones of those veterans.
In today’s service, we focused on the contributions of women in Australia’s armed forces. For over 120 years, women have worked tirelessly in various roles to serve and protect the nation. These extraordinary women have overcome challenges and adversity to proudly serve our Australia. Today, we remembered their service and sacrifice.
We would like to thank our Defence families for attending today and extend our thanks and appreciation to Musician, Ken Fraser for performing on the bagpipes. The entry procession included our Merici College Australian Defence Force Cadets and we thank them for their respectful involvement.
We were honoured to welcome our guest speaker, Squadron Leader Nicole Smith, introduced by her daughter, Poppy Smith. Poppy reflected on what is has been like being a daughter of a Defence Force member, expressing the pride she feels towards her mother who has lived with courage everyday, “Being the daughter of a Defence Force member isn’t always easy. Mum comes home late after long days training or working, and she’s deployed twice – missing my second birthday and two Christmases. But she made it back for my sixth birthday, just in time, and that’s what matters.” Poppy reflected on the lessons she has learned from her mum; that real heroes sacrifice for others, just like the Anzac’s did at Gallipoli and beyond. “Mum’s story shows the strength of women in our military, serving with honour and heart.”
Squadron Leader Smith opened her address by honouring families – parents, partners, sisters, daughters – who share the burden of service. Sqadron Leader Smith emphasised in her address that, “Service does not always wear a uniform. But it always calls for integrity, compassion and courage. ANZAC Day is not only about remembering the past. It is about carrying forward what matters. Hope is what sustains us through challenge. Faith – faith in each other and in ourselves – is what allows us to persevere.”
Read full address here, ANZAC Assembly Squadron Leader Nicole Smith Address
We thank Squadron Leader Nicole Smith for sharing her personal reflections on ANZAC Day, the Air Force and her personal journey as a female officer in Australia’s Defence Force.
We extend our thanks to our students who participated in the Assembly:
Sofia Sheldon-Smith – Joint Compere
Sophie Barrie – Joint Compere
Eva Atyeo – Bugler
Alexa Burns – Vocals
Stephanie Quirk – Acknowledgement of Country –
Matilda Hietbrink – Introduction In Flanders Fields
Charlie McGinty -Recital “In Flanders Fields”
Lucy Whitwell – Prayer of Remembrance
Poppy Smith – Introduction of Guest Speaker/wreath laying with Principal
Marina Maekawa-Banks – wreath laying
Eleanor O’Loughlan – wreath laying
Josie Schieb– The Ode
Cadets
Mrudula Kancharla – Yr 12
Addison Prentice – Yr 12
Ashley Lewis – Yr 11
Isabelle Creighton – Yr 9
Sahib Kaur – Yr 9
Ava Stachow – Yr 9
Hannah Orton – Yr 8
Natalie Spinks – Yr 8
We would also like to thank Kerry-Anne Kennealy, Defence School Mentor for all her work and organisation, as well as our maintenance, AV and canteen staff for their valued contributions.
“In Flanders Fields”
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields
