Each year, nation-wide, on the 25th of April, the people of Australia take the time to pause and reflect on the magnitude of the sacrifice that Australian and New Zealander service members have made to protect our safety and sovereignty.

The young men and women that have/are stood guard at the cenotaph on my left, are members of 345 Squadron – Penrith, and 323 Squadron – City of Blue Mountains, Australian Air Force Cadets. They are students at this school, they are people that some of you might know and are friends with. But they are undertaking a long-standing responsibility: they have volunteered to dedicate a significant amount of time in several ceremonial activities throughout our local communities, including ANZAC Day Dawn Services, forming catafalque parties, honour guards, parades, marches, and many other means of service.

ANZAC Day is very significant to the Australian Air Force Cadets. We are sponsored by the Royal Australian Air Force, inheriting their uniform, ceremonial protocol, and namesake. Primarily, we inherit the special duty of remembering, and honouring, and commemorating the 103,044 Australians, and 30,170 New Zealanders, that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in conflict, in the last two centuries – along with the countless more that have been wounded in their service, and the countless more still that suffer from the horrors of conflict.

We hope that our presence at community events like this doesn’t make people complacent in their responsibility to honour our service members but instead encourages them to witness the respect that all of us maintain.

I want you to reflect on the legacy of the ANZAC, which begun in the dawn, in the waters off Gallipoli’s shores, 110 years ago. It carries with it stories and experiences of courage, mateship, honour, and hardship. But most importantly, as free, safe and happy Australians and New Zealanders, we stand on ground that so many have owed their lives to secure. We are eternally grateful.

Lest we forget.

Colby Carroll - Year 12, 2025
College Captain, 345 Squadron - Penrith