By Bonny Burrows
Remembrance Day may be held on a Saturday this year, but it didn’t stop Kooweerup Secondary College students from paying their respects.
Instead, the college hosted a ceremony of its own on Friday 10 November, with the support of the town’s RSL.
Year 7 students gathered in their grade’s centre for the commemorative event, which was held at the end of the school day.
Kooweerup RSL President John Camileri addressed the crowd, while RSL member Geoff Stokes recited The Ode.
Mr Camileri spoke of the importance of paying respects to past and present servicemen and women.
“On this day of remembrance we think of those who experienced the horrors of war,” Mr Camileri said.
“We have inherited a legend, a story of bravery and sacrifice and with it a deeper appreciation of ourselves and democracy.
“No matter where we are, we march united under one glorious banner.”
Peter Dillon reflected on his own time in battle, and asked students to expand their own understandings of war.
“So many unfortunate things happen at war that don’t make the papers. I’d like you to try to remember them, because I do,” he said.
Mr Camileri perhaps aptly summed up the devastation war had on soldiers, when he told of the tragic time on 10 February 1962 when “82 of my mates disappeared in a minute”.
He said he remembered them and that moment to this day.
The service included moving music performances by students and the laying of wreaths by school representatives and the RSL.
Cardinia Shire councillor Ray Brown was also on hand to present the RSL award to Chloe Mintern-Hibbert for her “mateship, courage, endurance and sacrifice”.
Chloe was unable to attend the service, but a classmate accepted the award in her honour.
School principal Felix Patton said the school worked hard to ensure students were aware of Australia’s war history.
A number of students and staff were also planning to attend Kooweerup’s 11 November formal Remembrance Day service.
