On Friday 21 April, the Innisfail State College community paused to commemorate ANZAC Day 2023. This year we marked the 108th anniversary of the landing of the ANZACS on the shores of Gallipoli and we also reflected, with the help of our special guests from the National Serviceman’s Association, the 50th anniversary of Australia’s withdrawal from the Vietnam War. This year, our commemoration focused on honouring, remembering and thanking, highlighting to all of us as
Australians, first and foremost, that we must never forget the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf by those who came before us.
This year we were extremely honoured to commemorate our ANZAC Ceremony with some very special guests, Ex-Serviceman Sapper David Grima – President of the National Servicemen’s Association of Australia, Ex-Serviceman Lance Corporal John Paterson, Ex-Serviceman Corporal Peter Hutchinson and Ex-Serviceman Private Edmund Hitchings - National Servicemen and Vietnam Veterans. We would also like to acknowledge the attendance of Mr Ron Henderson - Commanding Officer, 107 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets and President of Innisfail RSL Sub-Branch, Mayor Mark Nolan, representing the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Mr Michael Sands, representing the Queensland Police Service and Mr Les Moule representing the ISC Parents and Citizens.
A very special thanks to all who attended our ceremony as guests and to the National Servicemen for delivering the commemorative address - your presence certainly added a sense of formality and provided us with an insight into your experiences as NASHOS and Vietnam Veterans.
We would also like to acknowledge our wonderful students. The level of respect that was displayed by the student body was outstanding, thus proving that the relevance of ANZAC Day and all that it stands for is certainly alive and well here at Innisfail State College.