On Friday the 13th of April St Andrews College assembled as a community to mourn with pride all those Australians who paid the supreme sacrifice in all theatres of war. Students and staff remembered those who served and returned, having fully discharged their responsibilities in the service of Australia.
The commemoration closely followed the format of a military service. It included the lighting of three candles for honour, empathy and hope. The first candle was lit for the soldiers, the second candle for those who lost their loved ones and the third candle for all those whose lives have been and continue to be shattered by the evil that is war.
As with tradition in our society, College Captains laid a wreath as a symbol of gratitude to all Australian men and women who have died in the wartime service of their country.
This was followed by The Last Post and The Ode to the Fallen ….
“They went with songs to the battle, they were young
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”
Lest We Forget those who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of their country’s honour and independence.
