Students attended Anzac ceremonies

A contingent of students from both campuses of Brisbane Water Secondary College and partner primary schools attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service and later in the morning, the Anzac Day Ceremony, according to relieving college principal Mr Frank Gasper.

Both were held at Ettalong War Memorial Club because of the weather.

"There was a great feeling of community surrounding the morning's events as people of all ages emerged from cars and walked along dark streets (most with umbrellas because of the heavy rain) and met firstly at Woy Woy before being redirected to the Club," Mr Gasper said.

"The 10.30am Ceremony was something special.

"In front of a packed auditorium, a series of moving speeches were delivered by the adult organisers and then by two students of Brisbane Water Secondary College, Liam Scarrat, Year 10, and Selina Harlum, Year 12.

"They were amongst the best Anzac Day addresses I have heard, and a credit to the young people concerned who had researched and delivered their addresses with personal reflections on what Anzac Day means to them.

"At the end of the ceremony, many community members made a point of congratulating both of them for their contribution to the ceremony.

"It was a nice touch at the end of the ceremony when all young children present were called to the front of the gathering in recognition of their attendance.

"The Ettalong War Memorial Club should also be congratulated for the part they played in providing the facilities and the breakfast to the early starters who braved the weather to make sure they were part of this at this excellent community event that honoured the memory of Anzac Day.

"I, like many others in the audience felt it was a privilege to be part of it," said Mr Gasper.

Press release, 14 May 2007 Frank Gasper, Brisbane Water Secondary College