Headmaster Roy Kelley reflects on one of the most important days in the College calendar, April the 25th.

We were delighted to see over 300 people in attendance at this year’s ANZAC service. There was a blend of Old Collegians, past parents, current parents and current students creating a fitting tribute to the 220 Old Collegians who gave their life for their country. Held in the marvellous setting of the Chapel and led by the College Chaplains, Warner Wilder and Murray Bean, the occasion was a memorable one.

A highlight of the service was the speech given by Old Collegian Geoff Bibby. The names of those servicemen who had died were read out, but Geoff Bibby gave real meaning to those names by telling stories about some of the school friends he remembered. As one example, he mentioned John Lawrence Bickerdike, a top-class rugby player and the fastest runner in the school. He described him as the Jonah Lomu of his day. John Bickerdike left Parnell House in 1937 and enrolled in the Air Force in WW2. He soon found himself flying spitfires over Germany. He was killed in 1940, too young to be selected in the Battle of Britain and, most certainly, far too young to die.

Geoff read a moving piece taken from a Turkish-built monument commemorating the fallen ANZACS at Gallipoli. He concluded that compassion for all people, regardless of race, religion, politics or simply individual differences, should be a goal for all. It was a timely reminder about the ability for nations to resolve their differences, despite being engaged in major hostilities, as we endure the continuance of problems in Iraq and the Middle East.