St Joseph's Nudgee College

April 28, 2009

The St Joseph's Nudgee College community celebrated both past and current defence force personnel during recent ANZAC Day celebrations. 

On Friday students, staff, parents and Old Boys paid their respects to the ANZACs with a ceremony on Ross Oval. Old Boys from both Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace attended the ceremony and heard from former RAAF radio operator, and World War II veteran, Brother Jim Gorman.

"We are gathered here today to remember those brave men and women, both members of our forces as well as civilians, who paid the ultimate sacrifice – because they loved their fellow men and women and their country," he said.

The ceremony, which was emceed by Year 12 College mission leaders, included laying of crosses, poppies and wreaths as a sign of respect and remembrance.

Year 12 student David Sykes performed the Last Post and the catafalque party was from the 1st Signal Regiment Gallipoli barracks at Enoggera. Several students wore their family members medals and the Year 6 and 7s sang We’ll Always Remember. 

During his speech Br Gorman encouraged everyone to remember those who served their country and fought for us. 

"April 25th is not a day to glorify war but a solemn occasion to remind us to be thankful for our freedom, our Anzac spirit and to acknowledge the courage and sacrifices of so many men and women who have passed on these traditions by example, which make us fair-minded Australians and New Zealanders," Br Gorman said.

"Let us remember them in our stories, in our living traditions and in our deepest moments of joy and pain."

Twenty-six Nudgee College Old Boys have been killed during war and on Saturday their sacrifice was remembered by current students, who wore their photos during the ANZAC Day Dawn Service and march at Sandgate.

Dean of Students Paul Begg said the College's ANZAC Day celebrations were a way to teach students, particularly the younger ones, about a significant event in Australia's past.

"Having boys participate in the ANZAC Day ceremony and carry photos of our fallen Old Boys during the march at Sandgate is a great way of connecting our current students to the past history of the Anzacs," Mr Begg said.

For students in Years 5-7, part of the defence force story came alive today with a visit by members of the Navy and one of their Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters.

The 9,930 kilogram Seahawk landed on Hendry Oval to the delight of the students who then took turns sitting in the pilot’s seat and asked a range of questions to the Navy personnel in attendance.

The Seahawk and its crew, which are based in Nowra in northern NSW, were in Queensland for ANZAC Day services at Caloundra, where their territory extends too, and Kawana Waters.

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