A group of Years 6-12 students recently attended Melbourne Legacy’s annual ANZAC Commemoration for Students at the Shrine of Remembrance.
The special service – which was attended by dignitaries including the Lieutenant-Governor of Victoria, Professor James Angus AO – featured student guest speakers, school bands, Defence Force cadets and a RAAF flyover.
Manor Lakes P-12 College was one of more than 100 schools to participate in the event.
Here’s what our Grade 6 captains thought of the experience.
Arjun M: “I was honoured to attend the ceremony. We learnt about how the soldiers sacrificed their lives for Australia. The Lieutenant-Governor and many other schools attended, and I had the privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of Manor Lakes P-12 College. It was a very meaningful experience.”
Harsh: “It was a memorable experience. We did a tour inside The Shrine where we saw and learnt about artifacts from the war.”
Ayrris: “We got to meet the Lieutenant-Governor and he gave an important speech. It was the first time I had been there and I would love to go there again. It was lively and an engaging experience.
Rishith: “The Shrine of Remembrance was an amazing experience where we listened to inspirational speeches that lit many hearts. After that, we had a tour inside the Shrine where we saw old artifacts like the soldiers’ armour and medals.”
ANOTHER STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
By Year 11 students Ella and Jokina
The 94th Annual Melbourne Legacy ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony was nothing short of a memorable event.
The Lieutenant-Governor, James Alexander Angus, and the former governor-general, General David John Hurley, paid tribute to the courage, service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women, while students and attendees from all over Victoria gathered to honour the enduring legacy of the ANZAC soldiers with heartfelt reflection.
The Shrine of Remembrance was designed by two architects who were World War I veterans. It took seven years to build, opening in 1934. The Shrine commemorates the service and sacrifice of our service people.
The interior of the Shrine was breathtaking, with engravings inspired by soldiers returning from WWI and historical events frozen in time. An artefact that fascinated us was a Union Jack flag with signatures and names of soldiers. The flag was hidden from the Japanese after the invasion of Singapore in 1942.
Colourful wreaths adorned the eternal flame. As students paid their respects, it was clear that the ANZAC spirit continues to live on through younger generations. We’re glad that Manor Lakes P-12 College was part of this year’s commemoration.
Lest we forget.
