Mt Clear College ceremony focus on war service connections

MT Clear College’s annual Anzac Day ceremony yesterday focused on continuing connections to World War I.

School captains Genevieve Erskine and Hugh Ebbs lay a wreath with Vic Bradley. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER

Teacher Jo Bell said the school had long held ceremonies, but had put greater emphasis on Anzac Day since 1999.

She said each year they concentrated on a different part of World War I.

“As it’s the 100th anniversary this year, we had a few different speakers and showed the connections we still have,” Ms Bell said.

“One of the speakers is a student’s father, returned from serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Teacher Terri Giri spoke about her family’s connection to the war.

“My great uncle died in World War I in France, and there is nothing left. They still can’t find the body,” Ms Giri said.

“That’s all the remembrance we have of him.”

School captain Hugh Ebbs said the ceremony was a good way for the school to show respect for those who lost their lives for the country.

He laid a wreath at the school’s lone pine after the Last Post and singing of the national anthem.

“It means a bit more now that I’m in year 12,” Hugh said.

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