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© 2024 South Gippsland Sentinel Times

Anzac spirit celebrated at Korumburra Primary School

2 min read

KORUMBURRA RSL president David Jackson said it is a privilege to be involved in Korumburra Primary School’s annual Anzac Day service.

“It’s important the younger generation can participate in these services of remembrance and it’s important they get involved, so we love to attend and be part of their learning,” Mr Jackson said.

South Gippsland Shire Council mayor Nathan Hersey also took part in the service and told the Sentinel-Times why he views it as important to hold such services at schools, in addition to those at various local war memorials and cenotaphs.

“It’s clear a lot of kids today don’t have the same understanding of sacrifice in war that previous generations had, and it’s no fault of their own,” Cr Hersey said.

“It’s about education, and what better place to educate our young people than in schools, with teachers who can follow up with explanations and lessons about the importance of the sacrifice of people who served for the freedoms we experience.”

When the service commenced, it was just as Mr Jackson said it should be with students wholeheartedly involved, whether helping conduct the ceremony or just through ceasing their conversations and paying attention to proceedings and the words of the speakers.

School captains Lauren and Josh welcomed everyone to the service and later read the Anzac Requiem. 

Mr Jackson spoke of the Anzac landing on the beaches of Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.

He explained the term Anzac refers to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

“For more than 100 years the men and women of our navy, army and air force have honoured the memory of our original Anzacs,” Mr Jackson said.

He outlined the many ways in which people can honour those who have served and those who continue to.

As well as various services, Mr Jackson noted traditions such as wearing a sprig of rosemary for remembrance, adding it is also a perfect accompaniment for roast lamb.

The Korumburra RSL president outlined the significance of some of the traditions of Anzac Day ceremonies such as the playing of the Last Post and the Reveille, and the reciting of the Ode.

“The Last Post is played today for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice; it means they have done their duty and are now at rest,” Mr Jackson said.

Phil Richards later played the emotional tribute to the fallen, before the young attendees did a commendable job observing a minute’s silence.

Everyone had the opportunity to participate, singing ‘I am Australian’, as well as the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia.

House captains Sophie and Cody laid a wreath during the service, as did councillors Hersey and Felton.

Another student, Ryan, did an excellent job of lowering and raising the flag at the appropriate moments.

With the Korumburra Primary School service taking place on the eve of Anzac Day, students can do it all again at a nearby cenotaph on the anniversary of the day Anzac troops stepped ashore at Gallipoli.