St Augustine’s College Kyabram held its annual Lone Pine Ceremony beneath the namesake tree recently. Pictured are Graeme James, Gavon Armstrong, Alwyn Drysdale, Gwen James and Audrey Ratcliffe of Kyabram Legacy.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Community members and students gathered below the shade of a solitary tree at St Augustine’s College Kyabram for its annual ceremony.
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In remembrance of the Battle of Lone Pine, members of Kyabram Legacy and Campaspe Shire Council, and college staff and students, paid their respects to the fallen.
Following a musical welcoming by the college choir, Kyabram Legacy secretary and emcee Gavon Armstrong invited those with wreaths to lay them beneath the tree.
Year 5 college students laid the college’s wreath.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Cr Luke Sharrock brought a wreath on behalf of Campaspe Shire Council.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Kyabram Legacy members standing before their wreath beneath the Lone Pine.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Don Cook spoke about the history of Legacy in Australia, and highlighted the impact of its care locally.
Don Cook and Gavon Armstrong.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“The Kyabram Legacy group currently cares for approximately 35 widows, with 25 of those ladies living independently,” he said.
“More recently, we have started to care for the widows and partners of veterans from wars in Korea, the Gulf, Vietnam and Afghanistan.”
Graeme Jones read The Ode before attendees observed one minute of silence, and a flag-raising ceremony followed while The Last Post played.
Graeme Jones recited The Ode.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
A reading of In Flanders Fields was given by Ian Danahay before college captain Tia Harrison gave a speech on the Battle of Lone Pine’s significance and Legacy’s importance.
Ian Danahay, Gavon Armstrong and Gwen James.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
St Augustine's College Kyabram captain Tia Harrison speaks at the ceremony.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
The Year 5 and 6 students were asked by Tia to raise a sprig of rosemary as a symbol of remembrance, provided by teacher Selga Langley.
Students raised their rosemary in remembrance.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Learning support officer and former ADF serviceman Darcy Walsh relayed the first line of the Australian Solider’s Code, which he carries with him to this day, and discussed the Battle of Lone Pine’s history.
Gwen James recited the poem A Seed of that Tree at Lone Pine, written by former Kyabram local Graham White.
College learning support officer Darcy Walsh at the podium.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Gwen James reciting the Lone Pine poem.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Kyabram Legacy chair John Lilford praised the resurgence of the Australian spirit he saw in today’s young people, and thanked the school for helping to facilitate it.
Kyabram Legacy chairperson John Lilford.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
College principal Tim Campbell emphasised the school’s connection to the tree, and what it represented.
St Augustine’s College Kyabram principal Tim Campbell.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
“Stewardship of our Lone Pine is more than just caring for the tree itself,” he said.
“When we accept this responsibility, we are making a promise, a promise to look out for one another. Every day we see that promise in action.”
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