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On Friday April 22, Anzac Day was celebrated at the College. Because of unexpected inclement weather, the function which has traditionally been held on Ross Oval was quickly moved indoors into McKennariey Centre. Reg Swain, Director of Property and Services and his team quickly made the change on the morning of the function and the program suffered nothing because of the sudden unexpected change. Many Nudgee and Terrace Old Boys took part in the ceremony as well as current students whose parents were Returned Personnel. The ceremony was managed by a combination of Year 12 M.Cs who also acted as hosts to the visitors at the ceremony and the morning tea which followed. A small group of these host students is pictured below. |
The
Program commenced with the procession of guests and/or their
representatives. Mr Michael Newman - Dean of Community and Mission
welcomed all present. He introduced the College Mission Leaders – the
students who would be the Masters of Ceremony who were Angus
McLachlan, Robert Mastroianni, Tom Doyle, Peter Doljanin, Mark
Green, Ben Mortimer, Tim Lynch, David Cody and Vincent Ryan. |
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'This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this-to lay down one’s life for one’s friends....' After this reading, he delivered the Homily related to the theme of true patriotic love.
After the Homily an Allepo Pine was planted, White Crosses and Poppies were laid and the Prayers of the Faithful were led by Robbie Ah Chee, Jack Whitehead, Paul Owens and Vincent Ryan.
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The guest speaker, Major Stuart Kenny then addressed the gathering. Major Kenny is from Mackay where he attended St Patrick’s Christian Brothers’ College. In 1988 he joined the Australian Regular Army which led him on to the Australian Defence Academy and then the Royal Military College at Duntroon. In 1991 he graduated as a Lieutenant in the Regimental Command and Leadership Fields and has held positions in the First Field Regiment in Brisbane, at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal , Victoria and in the Fourth Regiment in Townsville. In 2003 he was posted to the United Kingdom for 13 months where he attended the UK Command and Staff College and studied for the military equivalent of a Masters Degree. In September last year, he returned to Australia and is currently posted as a Senior Instructor of the Grade 2 Command and Staff Course where he trains Captains and Majors. |
Major Kenny has been deployed on operations on three occasions. In 1997 he was deployed with the Australian Defence Force contingent that evacuated nationals from Cambodia. In1992 and 2000 he was posted to the British Army which saw him spend 6 months on operations in Kosovo as part of a peace enforcement mission. In 2001 and 2002 he served 7 months in East Timor with the Second Battalion of The Royal Australian Regiment for peace enforcement operations.
Major Kenny spoke about the changing notion of National Security. His relative youth, the recency of his personal experience particularly with peace keeping and training projects made him extremely relevant to both the students and older members present. Major Kenny was an excellent choice of speaker for this celebration. We thank him for his time and effort in making himself available and his obvious preparation for his presentation.
Wreath laying, the playing of the Last Post followed by the observance of the traditional one minute of silence led to the sounding of Reveille and the concluding prayer and blessing by Father John.
A special feature of the concluding segment of the ceremony was the singing of both the Anthems of Australia and New Zealand. Mr Daryl Hanly delivered the Principal’s address in which he thanked all those responsible for the planning and preparation for this function. He spoke with justifiable pride regarding all students participation in the ceremony and in particular the College Mission Leaders. He invited the special guests to share in Morning Tea at Ryan Hall.
Anzac Day Celebrations - Photographic Gallery
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Keith
and Ron Grant with Cassie Stewart,
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Philip Matthew (1939-40 with Martin Kerby | |
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Kevin Smee, Tom Kelly and Tom Dick arrive early for the Anzac Day Celebrations.
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Colin (1939-40) and Brenda Osler wait with other visitors before the commencement of the Anzac Day celebration in McKennariey Centre. | |
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Daniel Hanson with Colin Hanson, Paul Bolger (1945-47) and Bill O’Reilly (1933-35)
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Three representatives of returned servicemen lay crosses to commemorate deceased comrades | |
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| Johnny McCarthy – Sergeant in the 9th Division of the Rats of Tobruk is the great-great uncle of present Nudgee student, Ben Mortimer. | Tony
Behm and Major Kenny. Tony is RAAF –Director of Reserves and is Vice–President of the NC0BA Executive. |