Newhaven student leaders’ Anzac contribution

Newhaven College Year 12 student leaders Laura Vivian, Coco Hosken, Jack Papas and Jasmine Sullivan represented the College to deliver keynote speeches at local Anzac Day ceremonies across Bass Coast.

Junior School Captains Callan Reilly, Flynn Doig, Addison O’Connor and Scarlett Rennie also took part in the Anzac Day services, laying wreaths on behalf of the College at the 11am ceremony. 

In his speech to the San Remo audience Jack Papas shared his appreciation of the sacrifices of those who fought to protect us to achieve the freedom and peace we experience every day. 

“Our connection to every ANZAC is that they sacrificed themselves so that we can stand here today.

“We get to live freely in a wonderful part of the world and feel safe because of the sacrifices that were made by those who have come before us.

“I stand here now as an 18-year-old that is going to school and enjoying every part of my life, I would be incredibly ignorant if I didn’t acknowledge that this is a direct result of the Anzac’s sacrifices.

“To think that kids my age and younger signed up instantly to go to war is unfathomable. The heroic actions and values shown by these soldiers are what has shaped the country we live in today.”

Bass House Captain Jasmine Sullivan delivered a special message to attendees at the 11am Inverloch service, reflecting on how war impacted on her own family.

“My Opa, although he never officially fought, was a part of the Dutch underground, a resistance movement against the Nazis, in WW2.

“My other close connection to war is much closer to home, my great Grandpa, who fought in Darwin also in WW2, on the guns responsible for shooting down the air raid planes.

“Both men, risked their lives to fight for something they believed in, freedom, safety and peace, but had such vastly different experiences.

“Across Australia, we pay our respects, and give thanks to those who served in our country’s uniform, and as we do, we make a promise to never forget them.

“Their memories will live on, as we continue to tell their stories on days such as today.

“I know we are grateful for the sacrifice many made, so that we do not have to, thank you.”

Laura Vivien spoke at the Cowes Dawn Service.

“Do I have the right to cry? I’ve come to the conclusion that I can cry because remembrance is the only way we can repay every soldier, every medic, who served our country. Because it is them we have to thank for our safety. Them that let us be here this morning.

“And it is here we honour them. At dawn on this day.”