In April, the annual Ceremony at Anzac Memorial Hyde Park is delivered entirely by school students. It includes the Master of Ceremonies, keynote addresses, readings, and musical accompaniment. The Service also consists of an Inspection of the Guard by the official party, The Ode, The Last Post, and Rouse.

The service aims to educate primary and secondary school students about Australia’s military history whilst paying respect to the service and sacrifice of servicemen and women of the Australian Defence Force.

To mark the 70th Anniversary of this service in 2023, RSL NSW, the Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW and the Association of Independent Schools NSW launched an art competition for NSW school students. Following its success, the art competition and exhibition will return in 2025. 

Two artworks will be selected for the cover of the 2025 service program. 

LUCY BACALES - YEAR 8

'THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD'

My artwork is called ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ and shows an ANZAC soldier with poppies seemingly growing off of his face and petals blowing into the wind. This painting symbolises that as we grow older and we reach the 110th year since Gallipoli, the faces of our nation’s heroes have faded. But their sacrifice and courage will never be forgotten, and the poppies that tribute their memory will bloom eternally. I tried to encompass both fear and determination in the eyes of my soldier, and I reflected on how the ominous future would frighten them, and yet they fought for our country with such bravery and courage. I also tried to personally connect my father and grandfather, who are/were in the Australian Defence Force, and my experience with having to say goodbye to my Dad when he was deployed for a couple of years. I included the Ode in my painting because I love the lines ‘They shall not grow old’ because it encompasses the peace that they are at now after fighting for us.

JAZMINE TOLHURST-MOON

'SAYING GOODBYE'

The title of my artwork is Saying Goodbye; it symbolises courage through the depiction of a father saying goodbye to his child as he departs for war. The artwork also shows sacrifice, as the father has to leave his family and misses watching his daughter grow up. This painting holds a deep personal connection to my family’s Navy background, as my father serves in the Navy. I represented this connection by portraying the main subject in a Navy uniform. To further personalise the piece, I included a young girl hugging her father in goodbye, a moment that connects strongly with me, as I’ve had to say goodbye to my dad before his deployments many times. This painting highlights a sunrise and poppies. The sunrise in my painting signifies a new day starting, along with new beginnings. The poppies signify remembrance and hope for a pleasant future.

ASHTON DAVIS - CHILD OF THE ADF MEDALLION

Congratulations to Ashton Davis for accepting the Child of the ADF Medallion.

The Child of the ADF Medallion is presented to children who have shown resilience and growth in managing the challenges of the ADF lifestyle. Participation in the Child of the ADF Medallion Program is open to all Defence resident family children aged 18 years and under of full-time ADF members who have experienced one or more of the following:

• Managing a relocation
  • Connecting to a new community following relocation
  • Managing lengthy absence or frequent absences of the ADF family member due to service requirements
  • Absence of ADF member due to short notice posting, deployment or exercise. 

Well done, Ashton, we are so proud of you!

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Chloe Daniel and Daniel Rajeev represented St John's at the Sussex Inlet RSL sub-branch's Remembrance Day Service, honouring Australian men and women who have served and died so that we may live in freedom and peace. This significant day commemorates the Armistice of World War 1, which saw the unconditional surrender of the German forces to the Allies at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 after four years of bloody conflict.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mrs Hall and the Ag farm for their invaluable contribution to growing the beautiful poppies for us. 

CADETS AT REMEMBRANCE SERVICE BOMADERRY

Thank you to Tadhj Crangle, Tiana and Kieran Kochaniewicz for representing TS Shoalhaven Cadets on Remembrance Day.

All Cadets will start training soon getting ready for next year. Stay tuned for announcements.

2025 RSL & SCHOOLS REMEMBER ANZAC ART COMPETITION

Congratulations to Lucy Bacales of Year 8. She has been selected as a finalist in the 2025 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition!

On behalf of RSL NSW, in conjunction with the NSW Department of Education, Catholic Schools NSW, and the Association of Independent Schools of NSW, Lucy, her parents, and I are invited to attend the RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Commemoration, exhibition launch, and workshop on Thursday, 3 April 2025, at the Anzac Memorial.  

Thanks to the Anzac Memorial, the art exhibition featuring all finalist’s artwork will run from 3 to 30 April 2025.

What happens next?

The final round of judging will take place in early December. The expert judging panel includes representatives from the NSW Department of Education, the Art Gallery of NSW, RSL NSW, and the Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence. 

All finalists, including winners, get:

• A session with the Anzac Memorial Veteran Artist in Residence*
• Artwork on display at the Anzac Memorial in April 2025
• Finalist certificate and medal
• Invitation to attend the 2025 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Service and Exhibition Launch

In addition, winning artists also get:

• An invitation to attend the 2025 NSW ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Martin Place as VIPs
• Artwork featured on the cover of the 2025 RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Service Program

Mrs Julie Lawrence