Today the BSSC and wider community gathered for this year’s Anzac ceremony at Ulumbarra Theatre.
Always a special event on the college calendar, the ceremony was hosted by BSSC’s Student Ambassadors: Isabel Lovriha, Levity Camilleri, Amy Jefferis, Bella Parkes, Joshua Rankin, Nissa Wakefield, Lu Lu Wah and Ed Wilkinson.
The ceremony commenced with a cleansing with gum leaves by our First Nations students, accompanied by Uncle Paul Chapman on the didgeridoo; holding space for the flagbearers to mindfully position the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags as a way of honouring Country and Ancestors.
Maverick Franklin delivered the Acknowledgement of Country.
Ella Honey and Alice McKellar performed the New Zealand and Australian national anthems respectively, with Harvey Jenkyn-Taylor accompanying each of the singers on the piano.
‘In Flanders Fields’ was performed by Amanda Stewart, Isabelle Houghton, Alice McKellar, Ella Honey, Xanthe Thorpe, Zoe Hinneberg, Megan Hooley, Lachy McDougall and Harvey Jenkyn-Taylor.
Along with some other distinguished guests, we were honoured to be joined by RSL President Warrant Officer Glenn Ludeman and special guest speaker Mr Carl Chirgwin, who spoke to the audience about peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building.
‘The Anzac’ was performed by Josh Russell, Harvey Jenkyn-Taylor, Harley Breewel, Jim Turpie and Jacoby Ah-Dore—an incredible rendition of the song originally by Adam Brand.
The Last Post and The Rouse was performed by BSSC Alumna, Rachael Hamilton and BSSC Teacher Brenton Hayward played the bagpipes, leading the processional walk to the wreath-laying ceremony.
Our special guests—including Mr Pierce Grenfell, Annette Conway OAM and Aunty Janet Bromley— mingled with BSSC students and staff at a luncheon afterwards, where they shared stories and reflected on the ceremony.
Thank you to our guests who were able to be with us today, the dedicated staff who organised the ceremony, as well as our students who showed immense respect as we remembered our Anzacs.
Check out some photos on Facebook.