Anzac honours

By Bridget Cook
A CRANBOURNE North school has been recognised for its efforts in honouring our fallen war heroes.
Holt MP Anthony Byrne visited Alkira Secondary College on Friday to present it with a 2012 Anzac Day Schools’ Award.
The school was named the Victorian state winner in the secondary school category and as a result received a plaque and cheque for $2000 from the Federal Government.
Mr Byrne said this year 34 schools across the country shared $46,500 in prize money through the initiative, funded by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Saluting Their Service Commemorations program.
“The 2012 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards is a great initiative run by the Department of Veterans Affairs and I wish to congratulate principal Ian McKenzie and acknowledge the great work by the teachers and in particular the Year 9 and 10 students who were involved in this year’s submission,” Mr Byrne said.
In April this year Alkira Year 9 students, Year 10 captains, and teacher Nicole Scott arranged four Anzac Day ceremonies.
Two services were held at Alkira and Hillsmeade Primary School and two at Regis Sherwood Hostel and Embracia Hostel.
They invited special guests Barry Rogers from the Cranbourne RSL and Ray Heathcote from Berwick RSL.
The Anzac Day Schools’ Awards encourages students to learn about Anzac Day.
The competition is open to primary and secondary schools and can be entered as an individual class or a whole school.
Entries include a 500 word submission and must show evidence of commemorative activities undertaken to promote Anzac Day’s significance.
The involvement of veterans, war widows or members of the Australian Defence Force is encouraged.
For more information about the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards visit www.dva.gov.au.