ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. We have commemorated ANZAC Day for more than 100 years, and it has always been a time for people from all walks of life to come together. ANZAC Day is also a significant date for the School, given our longstanding relationship with the 14/32 Battalion Association. Our Student Leaders and percussion ensemble proudly represented St Michael’s and the 14/32 Battalion in the ANZAC Day March on Sunday 25 April. On Tuesday 27 April, the School held a poignant ANZAC Day memorial service. Students wore sprigs of rosemary, a traditional symbol of remembrance, and others wore family members’ medals of service. Prep students also baked ANZAC biscuits to recognise and remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans and serving personnel. We were joined by guest speaker Commander Alisha Withers RAN, who grew up in Melbourne and joined the Royal Australian Navy in 2002. She attended the Australian Defence Force Academy and graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Oceanography). She also holds a Master of Military and Defence Studies and her current role is Operational Planner for the South West Pacific in Headquarters Joint Operations Command. Commander Withers inspired us with her reflection on her career as one of very few women in her area of expertise in the Navy. Commander Withers’ address was a call to stay true to oneself and to not allow others to reduce you, but expend your energies focusing on being the best version of you. The message about personal authenticity and presence resonated strongly with our staff and students alike.