On April 30th 2009 over 2000 people, including the students, teachers, and staff of BCC, state ministers (Dr Constable and Mr Roberts), members of state parliament (Ms Saffioti), members of the RSL, and members of the community, gathered in the BCC Peace Park to remember the landing by the ANZACs at Gallipoli on April 25th 1915. The 2009 ANZAC Service address by Dr Steffan Silcox, Principal of BCC
As a learning community we at BCC hold our ANZAC Day commemoration service to celebrate the special bond this College has with its returned service men and women.The 2009 ANZAC Service address by Dr Steffan Silcox, Principal of BCC
As a learning community we at BCC hold our ANZAC Day commemoration service to celebrate the special bond this College has with its returned service men and women.It is a time when we commemorate and recall the determination and commitment demonstrated by Australian and New Zealand soldiers at the landings that were made at Gallipoli in 1915.Clearly the world has moved on since that Gallipoli campaign, but the memory of what occurred on those distant shores 94 years ago has not been lost with the passage of time.
The ANZACS as we now affectionately call those members of the Australian and New Zealand armed services who landed at Gallipoli created a legend; they have collectively left a legacy that continues to inspire us all.As was said at the time:
“Before the Gallipoli campaign no one had ever heard of the ANZACS.
After the campaign of Gallipoli who could ever forget them.”
The stories of heroism and duty to country generated by the actions on far distant Turkish soil are treasured reminders of the values held for service in our community.
Only a handful of those present at today’s service have experienced the horror of war first hand.However, for those who have served in times of conflict, for those who have come to Australia from areas around the globe where war has become a way of life, events such as this are a sobering reminder of our fortunate way of life and of the democracy in which we live.
Today we know that, at times, there will be situations of grave danger that must be faced bravely, - situations we must all be prepared to face if called upon to do so.
The memory of those who died at Gallipoli reminds us of the dreadful cost of war.Those who died, did so bravely overcoming any fear that may have resided in their hearts.
However, their sacrifice is only in vain if we fail to take courage from it, and fail to strengthen our determination to work towards building a more peaceful world in the future.
So let this College’s commemoration reinforce those values that were believed in and demonstrated on that far off shore:
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->a spirit of service before self
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->a sense of community and community good
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->an abiding sense of honesty and fair play in our dealings with one another
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->a practising belief in the essential humanity of mankind
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->a sense of individual and group responsibility
a nurturing of the spirit of democracy and the freedoms it offers to each of us
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]-->
These are the values and belief that we must all nurture and protect – and yes if necessary - fight for.
So once again I ask you to go forward as a community, as Australians, as one nation in pride and confidence, building the type of country and community the ANZACS would have wanted us to have.This sense of community and, the caring and compassion that goes with it, starts here, - with us – each one of us.
Let that be our excellent legacy to those who have served us well through their deeds and actions.
ANZAC Day Assembly 2009
