By Lucy Waldron
The day preceding Anzac Day saw schools across the Southern Downs region pay tribute to the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who sacrificed for the freedom enjoyed today.
Warwick State High School, among others, stood in solidarity, hosting a ceremony filled with remembrance and heartfelt tributes.
Students congregated in their assembly hall, engaging in a ceremony adorned with storytelling, the laying of poppies, and formal proceedings.
“The Anzac legacy is not reflected in a single individual nor a single event. Instead, it is the sum of thousands of stories, of ordinary Australians,” the school captains opened the ceremony.
Captivating retellings of historic events were delivered by the school captains and modern history students before a poppy was laid for the lives lost in the wars.
Adding a contemporary perspective, Captain Nicola Worsley of the Australian Army Aviation Training Centre shared an Anzac address and spoke on her personal connections to the region.
Addressing the students, Captain Worsley reflected on her family’s longstanding tradition of service, tracing back to her great-great-grandfather’s deployment in World War I.
“The tradition of service in my family has continued with my father who served in Bougainville in the 1990s and to my brother and I who serve today.”
In closing, Captain Worsley urged the audience to embrace the Anzac spirit in their daily lives, facing challenges with resilience and determination.
“Although the Anzac spirit is typically associated with members of the Australian defence force, I would encourage everybody here today to consider how they can live with the Anzac spirit, facing adversity and the challenges through their everyday lives,” Captain Worsley said.
As the ceremony drew to a close and the official party departed, Warwick State High School prepared for the main Anzac Day parade.
