BAGPIPES sounded the start of the fifth Anzac Service at Butler College this month.
Head boy Shaheen Subih and head girl Alicia Moss welcomed more than 2000 staff and students at the April 7 service, along with guests.
Brian Prangnell from the Quinns Rocks RSL made the commemorative address with a poppy pinned to his blazer.
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READ NOWMr Prangnell highlighted the significance of 2017, with this year marking the anniversary of many notable World War I and II battles.
He encouraged students to uphold the spirit of the Anzacs, which he said meant “not giving up, looking after your mates and maintaining a sense of humour in the face of immense sorrow and seemingly insurmountable odds”.
Butler College students, staff and guests from the WA Police, the Education Department and politicians, including Butler MLA John Quigley, Pearce MHR Christian Porter and North Metropolitan MLC Michael Mischin, laid wreaths as a mark of respect.
Students recounted poignant tales such as Sister Pratt and her fellow nurses’ bravery during World War I, and indigenous digger Ben Murray and his displays of courage, teamwork and mateship.
Principal Armando Giglia said it was a significant day in the college calendar.
“The Anzac spirit is the cornerstone of our ethos,” he said.
“Anzac Day services are effectively a celebration of our lifestyle and a commemoration of those who through their sacrifices have made that lifestyle possible.”
As the Australian and New Zealand flags fluttered in the breeze, students Shasian Houia, Shaheen Subih and Madison Ngatai, along with music teacher Paul Johnson, performed both the Australian and New Zealand national anthems.
The service concluded with Rotary Club speech competition state finalist and Year 11 student Harry Harrop addressing the audience, highlighting the first Anzac’s legacy.
After the service, Year 12 student and Cadet Under Officer Cooper Membry led Mr Giglia and the official guests, accompanied by Tom Burke playing his bagpipes, to a morning tea prepared by Year 11 hospitality students.