Students played an even bigger role in the Raymond Terrace Anzac Service on Wednesday.
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School captains Renae Andrews and Kieryn Morley from Hunter River High School conducted the first portion of the service.
Irrawang High School captains Georgia Sulis and Mitchell Swan were called on to deliver the Theme of ANZAC address.
“For many years our local schools have also laid wreaths or tributes on our war memorial in remembrance of veterans from all wars,” Raymond Terrace RSL Sub Branch president, Captain Vic Jones said.
“This year, while still honouring those past veterans, I have asked schools to dedicate the wreath they are laying this morning to a specific conflict, and I have tried to find a “living” veteran of that specific conflict from within our community to participate in the laying of the wreath.
“In this way, we have the opportunity today of not only showing our gratitude for the sacrifices of the fallen and those past veterans, but also paying our respects to those veterans who are still living among us in our community.”
Raymond Terrace resident Jim Page has a wreath laid in his name as the town’s last World War 2 survivor.
He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and in 1950 transferred to the Royal Australian Navy. Mr Page served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific theatres of war, being involved, as he described it, in the surrender of Japan.
“It was good to see the students running it,” he said.
“They are the future, they will be running it one day, ensuring that we commemorate the day.”
