Anzac Day 2021: What the day means to Cairns students

Anzac Day is more than a parade and an excuse to hit the pub. Our next generation of leaders have some heartfelt thoughts on how we can emulate the Diggers.

ANZAC Day is more than a parade and an excuse to hit the pub, and our next generation of leaders have told us why.

Alex Stuttgen, 16, will be playing the last post at the Cairns dawn service.

The St Andrew’s College student has a personal stake in Anzac Day — his great great uncle was listed as missing in action during World War II.

He said Anzac Day was more about thinking how to emulate the values of the fallen than a handy public holiday.

St Andrew’s College student Alex Stuttgen, 16, will play the cornet at the college’s Anzac Day memorial. Picture: Stewart McLean

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“I think about Anzac Day a lot ... if it wasn’t for those veterans we would not have the opportunities we have now; it affects us greatly.

“We should not take other people’s sacrifices lightly; I think that does get lost sometimes. People think it’s a public holiday, let’s watch these people march down the street."

College Captain Junny Moon said the day was a chance to commit to acts of community service.

“I was in the Air Cadets and quickly realised how lucky we are for their actions,” Junny, 16, said.

St Andrew’s College students Abigail Hemsworth, 11, and Junny Moon, 16, with principal Sean Mangan ahead of the college’s Anzac Day memorial. Picture: Stewart McLean

“Anzac Day is about reflection, about the sacrifices of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

“We can forget this at times but at Anzac Day we can come back together.”

He said the values of the Diggers, dramatically demonstrated during wartime, could be distilled down to a few simple rules to live by.

“Be kind to one another, ask someone how they are doing,” he said.

“That is mateship.

“As Australians we love to serve, to be willing to get our hands dirty.

“Help your neighbours and help your community; it is something we should all be doing.

Trinity Anglican School has held an Anzac Day service at the White Rock campus to commemorate the sacrifice made by Australian and New Zealand soldiers. 107 Squadron Australian Air Force cadet Brecon Weatherstone, TAS school captains Murray Colbridge and Tenielle Massey and 107 Squadron Australian Air Force cadet Taylah Steinhofer. Picture: Brendan Radke

“You get a warm feeling knowing you are helping someone else and knowing that you made a difference.”

TAS School Captain Murray Colbridge said the Anzac values commemorated on Sunday could be replicated simply by showing each other respect daily and to invest in the community through service.
“It’s a great opportunity and at the end of the day we should be wanting to,” Murray, 17, said.

Originally published as Anzac Day 2021: What the day means to Cairns students