Lakes Entrance Secondary College held its annual ANZAC commemorative service at the school last Friday, bringing together students, staff and representatives from local community organisations.
School captain Alexis Smart addressed the service, outlining the meaning of ANZAC Day, the history of Gallipoli, and its broader significance in honouring Australians and New Zealanders who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions.
Lakes Entrance RSL president Peter Tunnage was invited to speak and thanked the college for the opportunity, providing historical context on the Gallipoli campaign.
He described the intensity of the fighting, the heavy artillery and machine-gun fire faced by troops, and the determination shown in establishing a foothold despite extreme conditions.
“The courage, camaraderie, cooperation and ingenuity shared by the Aussies and Kiwis became legendary,” he said.
Mr Tunnage said the campaign ultimately became a costly stalemate, shaped by failures in command and logistics, as well as the harsh winter conditions that caused widespread suffering, frostbite and death.
He also paid tribute to medical and nursing staff who cared for the wounded under extremely confronting circumstances.
The service concluded with the laying of a wreath, the Last Post, and a flag-raising ceremony.
