The local dawn RSL ANZAC service held at the sports club has been important to our school for many years. This was again the case this year. Our role has been to provide the music for this event. Since the ANZAC Centenary in 2015, other local schools joined us and numbers have grown. Our School continues to lead what has now become the Quinns Rocks ANZAC Community Band and Choir.
This year we had a band of 17, which included our students and students from St James Anglican Community School. The choir was over 140 voices and included our primary and secondary choirs, St James Anglican School, Quinns Baptist College, Butler College and the Merriwa Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
We sang the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand, Walk With Me, Waltzing Matilda, played for the Wreath Laying, and our trumpet teacher played the Last post and Rouse.
At the dawn service our students arrive around 5:30am in full school winter uniform. As is often the case, this event is during the School holidays yet, once again, we had an excellent attendance. Similarly, the public continues to give wonderful support to this event with the sports club struggling to host the several thousand who attended.
We thank the schools and many people involved including the local RSL, and especially our School’s students and families. ANZAC continues to grow as an important community event and reminder to all of us. Lest we forget.
Mr Justin Tonti
Head of Music