Anzac Day Ceremony 2012
Jake
Mr. Oke, teachers, students and guests, I would like to welcome you here today toVacyPublic School’s 2012 ANZAC Day Service.
ANZAC Day the 25 April – is probablyAustralia’s most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian andNew Zealandforces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
Lizzie
You may ask why ANZAC Day has become so special to Australians. When war broke out in 1914Australiahad been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knockTurkeyout of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
Harry
At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knockingTurkeyout of the war, the Australian andNew Zealandtroops’ actions created what became known as an “Anzac legend” and this has become an important part of the national identity of both nations.
Daisy
2012 marks the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin.
On 19 February 1942 mainlandAustraliacame under attack for the first time when Japanese forces mounted two air raids onDarwin. The two attacks, which were planned and led by the commander responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbour ten weeks earlier, involved 54 land-based bombers and approximately 188 attack aircraft which were launched from four Japanese aircraft-carriers in the Timor Sea. In the first attack, which began just before 10.00 am, heavy bombers pattern-bombed the harbour and town; dive bombers escorted by Zero fighters then attacked shipping in the harbour, the military and civil aerodromes, and the hospital at Berrimah. The attack ceased after about 40 minutes. The second attack, which began an hour later, involved high altitude bombing of the Royal Australian Air Force base at Parap which lasted for 20–25 minutes. The two raids killed at least 243 people and between 300 and 400 were wounded. Twenty military aircraft were destroyed, eight ships at anchor in the harbour were sunk, and most civil and military facilities inDarwinwere destroyed.
The air attacks onDarwincontinued until November 1943, by which time the Japanese had bombedDarwin64 times. During the war other towns in northernAustraliawere also the target of Japanese air attack.
William
On Anzac Day you may see people wearing a sprig of rosemary. Rosemary is an ancient symbol of remembrance. Since ancient times, this perfumed herb has been believed to have properties to improve the memory. Even today, rosemary oils and extracts are sold for this purpose. Traditionally, sprigs of rosemary are worn on ANZAC Day and sometimes Remembrance Day, and are usually handed out by Legacy and the RSL. Rosemary has particular significance for Australians as it is found growing wild on the Gallipoli peninsula.
Ben
In a moment two of our Year Six leaders, Lleyton and Alexander will lay a wreath at the base of the flagpole to honour those who have died. After they have done that, Ty will read The Ode. At the end of The Ode I’d like you all to respond with the words – We will remember them. Please stand and remove your hats.
(Lleyton and Alexander lay wreath pause at base of flag for 5 seconds, Ty reads the Ode.)
Ty
The Ode
They shall grow not old, as we that are left 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.
(We will remember them)
Drew
The Last Post has historically signified the end of the working day. The last post is played to commemorate those who have lost their lives in war.
After the Last Post we will have one minute’s silence as a sign of respect, and then you will hear Reveille. This is played to signify the waking of a new day.
(Play, The last Post. One minute’s silence then Reveille. Isaac does the flag)
Drew
We will now sing our National Anthem.
(Play the National Anthem.)
Thank you for attending our ceremony, please wait for instructions from your teacher.
