“While the ANZAC spirit may have first arisen in troops on the battlefield, it is indeed a life-force that resides in all Australians … It is our constant, and our preserve. … We are the custodians and stewards of their spirit now and into the future …. We must take good care of it.”

Extract from Corporal Benjamin Roberts-Smith’s address to the crowd at the recent Anzac Day dawn service outside the Australian War Memorial, 25/4/2014.

Anzac Day – ‘Lest we forget’

On 25 April 2014 I was encouraged to see so many Australians, young and old, attend the various services around the country to honour our veterans. Over the past weeks, I have reflected deeply on our history and the words of Corporal Roberts-Smith have resonated. His emphasis on the importance of Anzac Day and the responsibility that all Australians must bear to preserve the Anzac legacy is something we should take seriously. Furthermore, at our own Anzac Parade, Reviewing Officer Colonel James Brown’s (ON 1987) address reminded me that by commemorating selfless deeds, we unite our community and consequently provide real purpose in our lives. Col Brown said, “In today’s culture of entitlement and celebration of meaningless celebrity, Australians are moved more than ever by the selflessness and sense of duty displayed by those generations of men and women who volunteered for military service in time of war.”

Current research tells us that we can improve boys’ mental health by providing meaning in their lives. The messages above complement the College’s direction. We remain committed to a compulsory outdoor education program and service learning philosophy in order to provide our boys with the opportunity to serve others and perform random acts of kindness that indeed strengthen their resolve and sense of self-worth. It is my hope that Anzac Day will continue to grow in importance in our Australian culture and especially amongst our young. For while our youth may only make up 20 per cent of the population today, they are 100 per cent of our future.

I thank Captain Rod Wood, his staff, our musicians and the entire Newington College Cadet Corps for honouring the sacrifice of so many Old Newingtonians and Australian service men and women in such a dignified manner. We should feel very proud of their contributions. The fact that Dominic Longhurst (12/JN) played The Last Post and Reveille, on a bugle belonging to the 3rd Battalion of the First AIF Division, made the occasion even more solemn.

 Dr Andrew Hirst
Acting Headmaster