In the last twelve months I have often been asked 'What will you be doing for the centenary? 'A not unreasonable question I suppose but in many ways it is frustrating as I will be doing what I have since 1999...and that is working with students and adults alike assisting them in their own research into the lives and experiences of those who went to war many never to return home.
The notion of 'doing something special' for the 100th year since Anzac troops landed at Gallipoli (along with the British/French/African/Indian and other Dominion nations) does not always sit happily with me. For many fine people I have come to know over the last 15 years the process of research, commemoration and visiting our war dead has been ongoing and significant for many years and in some case generations.
The incredible story of the tiny village of Sutton Veny and its school is just one such example. The powerhouse behind the annual Anzac children's service, Mrs Nicky Barnard, has been inundated with many requests and inquiries about the very same issue...what special things will the school be doing for the centenary? In many ways the question diminishes the work Nicky and the school have been doing for many, many years....going right back to the origins of this unique commemorative event in 1918 when a couple of lads from the village stole flowers to place on the 143 graves of the Anzacs buried there.
The school ALWAYS does something special for Anzac Day and throughout the year this tiny school permanently honours the memory of the Australian and New Zealanders who lie in the their soil by the names given to the seven classes at the school; the Auckland (FS2) , Brisbane (Yr 1), Canberra (Yr 2), Darwin (Yr 3), Elliston (Yr 4), Geraldton (Yr 5) and Nelson (Yr 6) classes give daily recognition to the sacrifices made by our countrymen and women by their names. Every person in the village who attended Sutton Veny Church of England Primary School since 1918 all know why foreigners are buried in their village: this is what true commemoration is all about .
So Sutton Veny school WON'T be doing anything special in 2015 BECAUSE of the centenary as they are always doing something special. On Friday April 24 it will be the enormous privilege for the Connecting Spirits students and teachers to share their special day and to see how this beautiful little school and village have not forgotten our men and women who never come home.
(The school has given permission to use the images below. Photos of the 2011 Sutton Veny Anzac service were reproduced in the book 'Jimmy's Anzac Pilgrimage'. - published April 25, 2013. The toy kangaroo 'Matilda' who features in the story is now a permanent resident in the school's Anzac room)
