Students heard from Leading Aircraftsmen Nish Prasad, Sergeant Tim Lucas-Gear, and Shaneel Kumar (army), two RAAF servicemen who have served for more than 5+ years, they spoke about service, sacrifice, and the importance of remembering.
Remembrance Day marks the moment the first world war ended in 1918 after years of war. Australians pause at 11am to commemorate the soldiers who have fallen and served in all wars and peacekeeping missions.
Remembrance Day is very special to all active retired and fallen soldiers as many Australians have been killed or badly injured.
The SRC leaders led the ceremony and introduced the RAAF Guest to the school. During the assembly the two RAAF servicemen took parts of a speech, talking about significance of Remembrance Day, the impact on families, and the importance of the minute of silence.
As part of the Remembrance Day recognition assembly, students took part in a minute of silence to show respect to all soldiers who have been killed in action. Flags were half-mast, and wreaths were placed.
At the end of the assembly, the three servicemen and the SRC moved to the Chifley College Bidwill Campus ANZAC memorial to place poppies next to plants from Gallipoli, and lay the wreaths.
The SRC got the chance of interviewing the three servicemen, to understand more fully their experiences and reasons for joining up.
Sergeant Tim Lucas-Gear stated: “I was serving in the army, and I just saw how happy the people in the Air Force. I saw that the Air Force was a very inviting and open environment, very inclusive of all members.”
Leading Aircraftsmen Nish Prasad spoke of his experience in joining: “I wanted to extend my trade as a car mechanic to heavy vehicle. There was an opportunity to join the Air Force. I actually joined when my parents went overseas for a holiday, and I told them, I'll see you. They said, we'll see you in two weeks. I said, No, you'll see me in three months after recruits.”
Shaneel Kumar also explained the reasons for joining up: “I was in the army, but I'm out now. But what inspired me to join? I have always been interested. This guy (Nish) joined the Air Force a couple of years ago. I left school and thought it was a good idea to join. I was a cadet when I was younger, but I joined the army instead of the air force.“ He said.
The servicemen explained that modern veterans face challenges many people don't see. They shared how families stood in their driveways at dawn during covid to honour ANZAC and remembrance traditions.
The ceremony helped students understand the importance of honouring those who served. Chifley College Bidwill Campus will continue to show respect and gratitude on Remembrance Day each year as the school grows.
Lest We Forget.
