Coomera State School remembers 29 former students who lost lives in World Wars

A Gold Coast school celebrating a special milestone has held a ceremony to remember 29 former students who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Twenty nine metal poppies were placed in the ground on Monday at a Gold Coast school where the meaning and traditions of Anzac Day resonate most strongly.

The poppies, donated by the North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch and Club Helensvale, commemorate the sacrifice of 29 former students who lost their lives in both World Wars.

They were placed beside the school’s remembrance stone at a ceremony that saw plaques donated by Theodore MP Mark Boothman commemorating the service of all 29 also unveiled.

Principal Nicole Page-Dhu, North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch President Ken Golden, Theodore MP Mark Boothman and Kerri Underwood. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Coomera State School is this year celebrating its 150th anniversary, and Principal Nicole Page-Dhu said the service of past students was an especially significant part of its history.

“Coomera State School is a wonderful school, and I’m very proud to be principal, especially during our 150th year,” Ms Page-Dhu said.

“The individual plaques and poppies signify a very important part of our school’s history and have been created for us to remember and to honour our past students who have served proudly.”

Peter Bignell and Jeff Bignell at the special ceremony at Coomera State School. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

The ceremony was attended by descendants of the 29 students who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Among them were Peter and Jeff Bignell, whose family first moved to the Coomera area in the 1870.

Sydney Kingston Bignell was killed in action at the Somme on 10 April 1918 at age 25, Walter Bignell was killed in action in Egypt on 9 August 1941 aged 29 and Sidney Bignell died in Burma on 2 July 1941 aged 23.

North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch President Ken Golden speaks to Coomera State School students at the ceremony. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Addressing students at the ceremony North Gold Coast RSL Sub Branch President Ken Golden said among the values embodied in the Anzac spirit was “endurance”, telling them how thousands had suffered as prisoners of war.

“We meet today not to celebrate or glorify war, rather to remember those who served our country during conflict and crisis,” Mr Golden said.

“On Anzac Day we salute not only the spirit of the Anzacs, but in paying tribute to them we take the opportunity to dedicate ourselves to striving for our country as they did and upholding the finest qualities of tradition, teamwork, commitment, endurance and mateship.”

Students lay wreaths they made at the Coomera State School ceremony. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Students who attended the ceremony said they felt it was important to remember the fallen service members – including the 29 who went to their school.

“I feel like it (Anzac Day) is a good time to commemorate the soldiers who fought for us so we can live in peace,” Paige Deffner said.