Over the holidays we will be commemorating ANZAC Day, our school service will be this Friday. Leading into this national day, a number of Year 9 students have created a visual display in the Year 9 building. The focus is "Memorials in Country Towns of WA".

By 1919, country towns all over Australia were erecting memorials to their lost loved ones – it was meant to represent a place of remembrance for the many thousands whose bodies never returned home. It gave a place, just like a grave site, for families to grieve. Nearly all country towns have such memorials – be they a park, a hall, a cenotaph, a 'very large structure', or a rock (Moora). These localities have become the focus for their annual ANZAC Day ceremonies.

Country towns were decimated by WWI, with so many men volunteering from the same towns and going to the same battles to die. In some cases the 'eligible male population' did not exist after 1918 and local farms did not have workers. Many WA towns suffered this fate. There was a policy change when it came to WWII.

The current display shows memorials around Western Australia and the students had to find one person listed on the memorial and research that person, tell the story and find their enlistment details. This has involved writing to local shire councils, RSLs, families, interviewing family members, investigating through the NAA and AWM. Through this research one partnership found a link to Mount Lawley SHS with a Year 7 student being related to a very sad story from Yealering.

The following is an article written by Nour, Isabella and Amy.

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On the 25th of April 1915, the ANZAC legend was born. This day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces. It is a day where all Australians can come together to honour the brave soldiers who fought and died for our country. It is a chance to reflect on the spirit of the ANZAC. But what is this spirit, why do we still continue to remember and embrace it with such pride and prestige?

On ANZAC day, admirable qualities and characteristics emerged that would set the ANZACs apart from other soldiers. It was Australia's chance to prove themselves worthy and equal to other nations. The task of serving at Gallipoli was upheld with prominent enthusiasm. As they charged through steep cliffs these soldiers found something within them to succeed, to triumph over the enemy that was raining fire down upon them. Mate-ship and determination became strengths that no one could take away from the soldiers as they fought tirelessly. Though tenacity endured many men did not return home, the war lasted in the minds of those left at home.

By 1919, country towns all over Australia were erecting memorials to commemorate their lost loved ones; it was meant to represent a place of remembrance for the many thousands whose bodies never returned home. It created a place, just like a grave site, for families to grieve. Nearly all country towns have such memorials, be they a park, a hall, a cenotaph, a 'very large structure', or a rock. These localities have become the focus for their annual ANZAC Day ceremonies.

Over the past couple of weeks leading into this national remembrance day, ANZAC Day, a number of grade 9 students at Mount Lawley Senior High School have created a visual display. It shows war memorials from country towns all across Western Australia, as well as exhibiting reports of soldiers associated with these towns that pairs have composed in order to continue the ANZAC legend. The task involved writing to local shire councils, RSLs, families, interviewing family members, investigating through the NAA and AWM to find primary information and a lot of thorough investigation. It was a difficult assignment, however proved to be extremely rewarding and the end result is something we can all be proud of. It has allowed us to retain a bigger appreciation for ANZAC day, and for all those brave men and women who faced the hardships of war. It has made us understand the extent of their enormous sacrifices and hardships that the ANZAC's endured to give us a better future. The appreciation of ANZACs will thrive through the generations and their courageous efforts shall live on forever on this important date, the 25th of April.

Lest We Forget