History of the Schools ANZAC Service

History of the Schools Anzac Service

In 1990, a meeting of the Community Committee of Templestowe Rotary met where Peter Gurry, a school Principal mentioned that schools followed the practice of sending a small group of 2 or 3 students, with a teacher, to the Shrine of Remembrance to participate in a central Anzac Service. Peter suggested to organize a local School’s Anzac Service for all Primary / Secondary schools in the Manningham area.
 
Graham Couch, who was a close friend of broadcaster Tony Charlton, felt Tony would give tremendous support with his background in organising the Anzac Service at the Shrine.
 
With the blessing of Templestowe RSL, the Rotary Club Templestowe, under the leadership of President Ken Horrobin, organised the moving of the Templestowe RSL War Memorial from a tiny site in Parker St Templestowe to Anzac Park, on the corner of Foote St. and High St Lower Templestowe.
This site was perfect venue for the new Rotary Templestowe School Anzac Service. The site was cleverly designed by Templestowe Rotarian Don Porter and enthusiastically supported by the RSL and the Manningham Council.

Delivery of Yearly Schools Anzac Service

  • Project Planning - July / August -Setting the date and establishing the Committee
  • Project Tasks - September / December  - Sponsorship, Federal Government Grant, arranging all the speakers and securing the Catafalque Party and 700 Aust. Flags from the local Federal member.
Project Tasks – February / March
  • Request assistance from Manningham Council – Seating / Road Closure / Permits /
  • Request assistance from RSL - reading of “The Ode” / raising of the flags
  • Book School Band / Bugler
  • Invitations to Schools and arrange 2 students to read the Requiem
  • Letters of Invitation to Dignitaries
  • Organise Buses
  • Notification of Event to Local Residents and Businesses
  • Project Tasks – April - Roster & Procedures on day of Service - Wet Weather Back-up Procedure

Day of the SCHOOLS ANZAC SERVICE 

  • 10.00am.  Road Closure and Council delivery of Chairs / Tables etc.
  • 10.00am.  Audio set up.
  • 10.00am.  Set up refreshment / program table.
  • 11.00am.  Arrival of Doncaster Secondary College Wind Symphony.
  • 11.30am.  Welcoming music for school students as they arrive.
  • 12.00 noon. Start of Anzac Service
  • 1.00pm Completion of Anzac Service.
“Who would have thought that a 1990 idea would take root and flourish to become the outstanding event it is today.”
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