On Thursday, 6th April, the Rotary Club of Boronia again organised an ANZAC commemoration service for Grade 5/6 students from Knox Primary schools. This is the eighth year that the Club has organised the service after it was first conducted in 2014 in recognition of the Centenary of ANZAC. This year, more than 450 students and staff from twelve local schools attended (a further increase from previous years); all enjoyed the warm autumn day and wonderful location at the Tim Neville Arboretum and Cenotaph (War Memorial).
The event was also attended by local dignitaries including Knox Mayor, Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch; Jackson Taylor MP, State Member for Bayswater; Rotary District 9810 Governor Ken Millar; and Rotary Club of Boronia President John Poke, each of whom participated in the service.
The theme for this years’ service was “The Role of Dogs in Service”. Sergeant Shaun Forde (Retired), Australian Defence Forces Chief Dog Trainer for more 20 years spoke to the students about the training and multitude of roles that dogs undertake in war and peace zones. His presentation was supported with a visual display of his years in the military services and his partner dogs.
As in past years music for the service was provided by the school students and this year the Concert Band from The Knox School provided the music before, during and after the service. The Choir from St Joseph’s Primary School Choir also sang two songs commemorating the ANZAC spirit. Student Eric Li from The Knox School led the singing of the National Anthem, and Band Trumpeter Alex Hick played the Last Post and Reveille.
Schools attending were The Knox School, Boronia K-12 College, and St Joseph’s, Wantirna, St Bernadette’s, Park Ridge, Boronia Heights, Ferntree Gully North, Regency Park, The Basin, Knox Central and Boronia West Primary Schools. During the service, students from these schools, and the Guests, all laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
April 2023
