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Local schools participate in national Remembrance Day service

By Jemma Jones

Dec 1, 2025

Young campers from Lancaster, Merrigum, Girgarre and Stanhope schools made their way to Canberra for an unforgettable experience. Photo by Contributed

Local students have had an experience on the national stage they will never forget.

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Students from Girgarre, Stanhope, Merrigum and Lancaster primary sSchools embarked on a meaningful journey to the Australian capital this month, to attend the national Remembrance Day service.

From Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13, the 35 students explored the streets of Canberra, immersing themselves in Australia's rich wartime and political history as part of the school's annual camp.

And while Kyabram was having its own service in the Memorial Gardens, four lucky students from the camp were chosen to represent the youth of Australia and lay poppies as part of the national Remembrance Day service.

Our time in Canberra

“On Remembrance Day in Canberra they played music in perfect harmony. Some got very emotional because they lost their loved ones. We thanked the soldiers who served in the war and had a one-minute silence. People laid poppies and wreaths. They had four soldiers face away from the stone of remembrance at each corner. They had two lines of about 20 soldiers walk in and when they walked in they stepped with perfect harmony. One soldier got to hold up a flag.”

– Cooper Randell, Year 6 from Stanhope Primary

Another four students were also asked to lay wreaths at the national Last Post service the following day, simultaneously learning about and becoming a part of history.

Girgarre Primary School principal Ashleigh Buckland said it was a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” for the young students.

“I don’t think the students quite understand how special it was for them to be able to attend and participate in the service,” she said.

“However, in five or 10 years’ time, I have no doubt that they will be able to reflect on this experience and recognise and appreciate the significance of the day and reminisce about their participation.”

Girgarre Primary School Year 6 student Zara McKenzie at the national Remembrance Day service. Photo by Contributed

Year 4 student Nate Greaney from Girgarre Primary, Year 5 student Castiel Ashe from Stanhope Primary, Year 6 student Patrick Giffin from Lancaster Primary, Year 6 student Luca Horder from Merrigum Primary — our local representatives during the poppy-laying ceremony. Photo by Contributed

She said the students were excited to see Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the services in Canberra.

The schools wished to thank the groups that made the trip possible, including the Girgarre school council and Girgarre Market, who were able to subsidise the costs for Girgarre students, and the Stanhope Development Committee, which fully funded the Stanhope students.