His address to more than 300 students, staff, Legatees and dignitaries underpinned the values of the organisation which is this year celebrating 100 years.
Flynn Burrows, a 12-year-old primary school captain at the college, spoke in recognition of the service his great-grandfathers gave to their country in wartime.
“The top medals are my pa’s (John Burrows) father’s medals and the others belong to my nan’s (Heather Thompson) father,” he said, when given the opportunity to play his part in a well orchestrated event which featured an appearance of a Benalla-based Lighthorse group dressed in traditional uniforms and mounted on horseback.
Flynn’s great-grandfather John William Burrows served in Papua New Guinea during World War II and earned the Pacific Star Medal.
His other great-grandfather, John Davies Stewart, spent 990 of his 1599 days of service outside Australia, mostly in the Pacific and Africa.
Flynn’s great-grandmother June Stewart, 99, remains a widow supported by Kyabram Legacy.
“I can’t imagine how scary that would have been for them and their families. They weren’t that much older than I am now,” Flynn said of his great-grandparents.
Flynn said he was proud and appreciative of not only his great-grandfathers, but all the men and women who served to ensure the freedom he enjoyed today.
“I can only say thanks and recognise the work of the Legacy organisation in supporting the families of our Diggers,” he said.
More stories and details from the events at Kyabram P-12 College and St Augustine’s College on pages 3, 10 and 11 today.
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