On Saturday 25 April, Amelia T, Jonah I and Cameron B attended the ANZAC Dawn Service at Cabravale, representing the Year 10 cohort of Thomas Hassall Anglican College.
It was a solemn ceremony that honours the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand soldiers. Held at dawn, the time of the original landing - the service includes moments of silence, wreath-laying and reflection. It is a powerful opportunity for communities to come together to remember those who have served and reflect on values such as courage, mateship and sacrifice. A big thank you to Cabravale resort Club for hosting the service.
“We arrived at 5:40am and collected two wreaths and poppies for our blazers. I appreciated how easy it was to find each other because of our uniform, and it was great to see so many other schools represented. The service was well organised and ran smoothly. I also enjoyed the breakfast afterwards, which gave us a chance to connect with others who had attended. It was encouraging to see the level of respect shown—not only to the speakers, but also among members of the community. I would highly recommend this experience to future student leaders and would definitely attend again.”
- Cameron B
“I enjoyed the ANZAC service for many reasons, including the politeness of those running the ceremony and the strong sense of community among attendees. The event was very well organised and followed the schedule effectively. They were also well prepared to cater for the large number of people present, and the food was excellent.”
- Amelia T
“My experience at the ANZAC Day service was both meaningful and thought-provoking. Although waking up at 4:30am was challenging, I felt motivated knowing I was honouring the same spirit shown by the ANZACs. The march, speeches and wreath-laying ceremony provided a powerful opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made and the values commemorated on ANZAC Day. With my uncle serving in the Australian Defence Force, hearing about mateship, courage and sacrifice resonated with me on a personal level. Overall, it was an incredibly significant event that honoured not only those who served in World War I, but all who have served since. LEST WE FORGET.”
- Jonah I
Mr Roderick Fortuin
Year 10 Advisor