Anzac Day 2022: Alstonville, Lismore, Ballina youngsters join parades, ceremonies
Hundreds of people lined the streets of the Northern Rivers to commemorate the fallen and the youngsters who will carry on the spirit of the ANZAC’s showed this annual event will remain strong for years to come.
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The Anzac spirit is alive and well in Alstonville as hundreds of people lined Main Street for the official parade and commemorative service on April 25.
As The Ballina Pipe Band’s chorus rang out, ex-servicemen, women and their families basked in the bright sun that graced the streets.
Behind them was a convoy of budding youngsters, embracing the music and meaning of Anzac.
When the first world war broke out in Europe in 1914, Alstonville’s population was barely over 1000. Today, 136 soldiers are remembered for their service over the last century in its memorial in Elizabeth Ann Brown Park.
Students from Alstonville High School, Alstonville Public School, Emmanuel Anglican College in Ballina, Rous Public School, Woodlawn College, Wollongbar Public School and Trinity College in Lismore carried banners and laid wreaths.
The focus of the commemorative ceremony was placed in understanding the history of the event but also an acceptance of the scourge of war, told brilliantly through the eyes of young school students.
As the Alstonville sub-Branch celebrated its 103rd year, Honorary Secretary John Gordon revealed a story written by a primary school student that won an award for best story that captured the attention of the branch.
Alstonville has an interesting ANZAC history and it was honoured with this beautiful rendition of ‘We are Australian’ by the ‘Headliner’s Chorus’ pic.twitter.com/Duoc1LUHwS
— Nicholas Rupolo (@NickRupolo) April 25, 2022
Toby Jay Conlon from St Joseph’s Primary School won with his story ‘The Game of 1914’ a description of a Christmas truce on the western front between British and German soldiers which had a powerful ending
“A beautiful song brings two opposing teams together as one,” Mr Gordon recited.
“Guns fire in the distance and the soldiers sigh in sadness as the time of peace has come to an end, the strong sensation of bleakness overwhelms everyone to be killing new friends.
“No-one wins in war”.
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