NEWS FROM DEFENCE
WELCOME TO TERM 2
As we enter Term 2, I thank all the staff and students who marched on ANZAC Day and proudly represented our school at various local marches.
Shoalhaven Heads Dawn Service,
Greenwell Point Dawn Service
Berry March
Culburra March
Huskisson March
Nowra March
Bomaderry March
Milton/Ulladulla March
Martin Place Dawn service
LOCAL MARCHES
MARTIN PLACE - VIP INVITATION
Lucy, Lucy’s parents, her grandparents, her sister, and I represented the school as VIPS on behalf of Lucy Bacales, a Year 9 student from St John the Evangelist, who has been named the winner of the Secondary School Division RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Art Competition.
Lucy’s Artwork was projected on multiple billboard screens around the CBD area.
A heartwarming depiction of the ANZAC Day Legacy created by local student Lucy Bacales has won first place at the prestigious 2025 RSL and Schools Remember the ANZAC Art Competition.
The Year 9 student from St John the Evangelist Catholic High School in Nowra was awarded at a special ceremony in Sydney on April 3.
The award was given to her by the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC.
“I am so grateful for having the opportunity to be part of the competition,” Ms Bacales said.
The competition was open to schools across the state, allowing young people to show off their artistic talent and understanding of the sacrifices made by ANZACS.
Only six finalists were chosen from secondary schools.
Ms Bacales has first-hand experience with the worries of war, as her father served in the Navy, and her grandfather in the Army.
“I tried to personally connect with my father and grandfather, and my experience with having to say goodbye to my dad when he was deployed for a couple of years,” Ms Bacales said. “I can understand how the children of ANZAC soldiers must have felt during World War I and World War II, though I can’t begin to understand their fear and worry for their family.”
Lucy learnt a lot from the experience, saying she felt it made her a better artist. It was also an excellent opportunity to learn about the ANZACS. She created the touching piece in a little over a week. “I was given only a little time frame between when I was told about the competition,” Ms Bacales said.
“I started looking into ideas straight away and getting inspiration.”
She found that inspiration from other ANZAC art, like Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War, which her grandmother told her about. “Seeing the ANZAC soldiers being humanised in giant realistic sculptures, along with my interest in drawing people, inspired me to include my soldier in my artwork,” Ms Bacales said. She included poppies because they represented the ANZACS, and also to comment on how soldiers could lose their individuality behind the poppy. “The soldiers as individuals become blurry behind this symbol,” Ms Bacales said.
It was important to her to keep the soldier’s face visible in her artwork. “ This is why I had poppies growing off of his face and flowing in the wind around the Ode.”
In recognition of her achievement, Ms Bacales has received a VIP invitation to the Dawn Service at Martin Place in Sydney on April 25.
Her artwork will also be on display at the service.
Ms Bacales said she was “so excited to attend the Dawn Service in Martin Place and be recognised by my school community.”
She will be celebrated at a school assembly on Thursday May 1.
Written By CEO
Lucy’s Artwork was on the cover of the ANZAC Day St Michael's Parish morning mass - April 25 2025
ST JOHN'S ANZAC ASSEMBLY - THURSDAY 1 MAY
Our annual ANZAC Memorial Ceremony and morning tea were held on Thursday, 1 May. We would like to thank the many special guests who attended this important event, which honours the struggle and sacrifices made by those serving our country, past and present, providing us with the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
Thank you so much to MidShipman Fairs of the Royal Australian Navy for delivering our ANZAC address.
Midshipman Bridget Fairs is 18 years old and graduated from St John's last year in 2024. She has commenced training to be an officer in the Navy at the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell. She will begin her degree in Electrical Engineering at ADFA in 2026.
The conduct and respect shown by all students at the ceremony was exemplary. We are blessed to work with such fine young people and are confident they will meet the call for continued peace.
I am so proud of everyone who contributed to making the ANZAC Day Commemorative Ceremony such a success:
Specifically:
From The MC, Mrs Diaz (our Leader of Well-being)
Ladies in the office,
Mrs Chewing
The Cadets and Student representatives:
Guard Commander McKenzie Smith, Jordan Grittiths, Jayden Clegg, Emily Higgins, Logan Humphries, Tiana Kochaniewicz, Keiran Kochaniewicz, Jayden Kochaniewicz, Sam Kowakzyk, Jack Collins, Elliot Camilleri, Tadhg Crangle, David Roberts
Students involved:
Chloe Daniel, Daniel Rajeev, Jasmine Barber, Wade Mckenzie, Cain Doosey, Ryley Megahey, Lily Sproule, Max Royals, Deeya Shrestha
The following performed “I am Australian (ANZAC Version)”
The Band:
Madelyne Bramble (flute), Charles Holden (piano), Eamonn Stephenson (bass), Ethan Luke (guitar), Chaise Wyber (didge), Eli Gow (didge)
The Choir:
Chloe Daniel, Zara Christensen, Jessica Krikstolaitis, Yanna Sayo, Makynli Dale, Belle Woelk, Rhianna Duff, Alex Sivonen, Gianna Gonzaga, Emmalee Atkin-Keegan, Emmeline Le, Kori Chaffey, Eden Sullivan, Aryanna Hayes
Special Guests:
Representing Liza Butler - Councillor Matthew Norris
Representing our local Mayor Patricia White - Councillor Selena Clancy
Guest speaker - Midshipman Fairs, Royal Australian Navy
Wollongong CEO Assistant Director, Strategy and Communications - Matt Baxter
Commodore - Matt Royals
Royal Australian Navy Catholic Chaplain - Nigel Porter
The Bugler - Peter Williams
Bagpiper - Lieutenant Colonel Von Prott (retired)
RSL Life Care and Open Arms Representatives - Jaye Buckland and Daphne Lilly
OAM Deputy Chairman Nowra Legacy Group - Darryl Kelly
Nowra RSL - Garry and Ricky Gilligan
CO of the Royal Australian College - Commander Peter Chapman
Commodore - Matt Royals
From Sussex Inlet RSL:
Branch President George Douglas
RSL Member Peter Rae
RSL Sub Auxiliary Coordinator Cheryl Hewitt and Deputy Coordinator Chris Cliff
Vice President from the Vietnam Veterans - Mr Barry Brown
Assistant Secretary Husskison RSL - Bridgette Shadforth
The Flypast HMAS Albatross
ANZAC EVE SUNSET TRIBUTE - SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
On ANZAC Eve, I attended the ANZAC tribute at the Opera House as a VIP representing the school. It was an outstanding performance, especially considering this was the first year it was held.
With over 200 military, veteran & civilian artists, including a full Orchestra, Choir, Military Band, Pipes & Drums, & Honour Guard.
Kieryn Nieves, who comes to our school for Didgeridoo teaching and practice, opened the Ceremony.
ST MICHAEL'S ANZAC ASSEMBLY - FRIDAY 2 MAY
On Friday 2 May the St John's Cadets a long with St John's didgeridoo players David Roberts and Cain Doosey attended St Michael's Catholic Parish Primary School.
The Cadets were outstanding. They marched into all the classrooms and answered questions. It was a good day promoting connection and service to primary school, and some cadets attended St Michael's. We will have Year 6 students wanting to join th Cadets. We had two members from the Primary school march with St John’s on the day.
I can not express how grateful and proud I am of my two helpers, Lily Sproule and Ryley Megahey, for their yearly support.
Defence School Mentor