ANZAC Day

ANZAC Day is one of Australia's most celebrated public holidays across the nation, where we pay respects to the people who sacrificed so much so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do today. The day is such a small token of our appreciation in comparison to the sacrifice that servicemen and women have made, which is why it's such an important day in the Australian calender. Given it's significance, I wanted to be involved in it as much as I could, and so took part in both Operation Rosemary for Legacy on ANZAC Day, and the Catafalque Party for Newington's ANZAC Day Service. For Operation Rosemary, I walked around the city on ANZAC Day with another Sergeant from seven till twelve, handing out sprigs of rosemary, a herb with particular significance on ANZAC Day, for a small donation for Legacy. For the Catafalque Party, Sergeant's in the cadet unit were able to volunteer to be involved, and then from there, six boys were chosen to be in the party for ANZAC Day. It required several lunch time rehearsals and practices after school in order to prepare for Newington's ANZAC Day service, where we stood on guard over The Memorial of the Dead.

ANZAC Day Experience Details

Planning Details:

As part of the cadet unit, we were able to contribute in a variety of ways to ANZAC day. I decided to sign up for the Catafalque Party as well as Operation Rosemary. The Catafalque Party had to rehearse before parading at Newington’s ANZAC day service, whilst for Operation Rosemary, we had to walk around the city on ANZAC Day, handing out rosemary to those in the city.

CAS Learning Outcomes:

Learning outcome 1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth

I’d never really done anything like the Catafalque Party before, so it was a new experience for me to do it, learning the ceremonial procedures involved, and something that I certainly expect will be moving and rewarding.

Learning outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Similar to the point above, being a part of the Catafalque Party was quite new for me, so it certainly developed some new skills that I didn’t know I had.

Learning outcome 3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience

This outcome is not relevant to this experience.

Learning outcome 4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

Being in the Catafalque Party required several rehearsals and a selection process, as well as attending the ANZAC service at Newington. Operation Rosemary was on just one day, but it was on a public holiday in the school holidays, and involved a very early start to the day, which required commitment.

Learning outcome 5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

It’s quite embarrassing if, when marching, everyone is out of step with each other, so it’s important everyone knows what’s going on and all the meanings of the commands.

Learning outcome 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance

This outcome is not relevant to this experience.

Learning outcome 7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

This outcome is not relevant to this experience.