By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
JAN Gilchrist, CEO at Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre, recognised a gap of knowledge around Anzac Day in her teenage students – and decided to do something about it.
Ms Gilchrist is hoping a flagpole erected outside the Cranbourne North centre will help ignite a better understanding of the commemorative day.
“It’s about educating our youth of today about our Anzacs – because I have seen a lack of awareness, they seem quit ignorant about the understating of what Anzac is,” Ms Gilchrist said.
After years of encouraging her teenage students to engage in the special day, Ms Gilchrist has found another way through the Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program.
“I applied for the grant for a flagpole late last year and we are planning on holding a service prior to Anzac Day next year at the centre,” she said.
Ms Gilchrist and her students were presented with an Australian flag by Federal Holt MP Anthony Byrne and $1500 to go towards the installation of a flagpole.
“The flag will help us to teach our teenage students about the protocols around raising the flag and having it at half-mast and it gives us a chance to engage with them about remembrance days,” Ms Gilchrist said.
“I have tried to get them to come to local services but they just don’t, so this way they can observe and pay their respects.”
The Saluting Their Service Commemorative Grants Program was designed to preserve Australia’s wartime heritage and to involve people throughout the nation in a wide range of projects.
