These stories all came to life for me on the morning of the 25th of April

 


The best way to have concluded the best trip by Ned Uren

 Anzac Day away in Darwin felt like the best way we could have concluded our trip. A day centred on commemoration, sacrifice, respect felt so special while being on the Anzac Spirit School Prize study tour. As the trip begun in Darwin talking about the bombing of Darwin and the Territories strong military involvement, I had learnt that the city of Darwin’s character was built on the foundations of actions by the brave people of Darwin during the bombing and throughout. Hearing stories of the soldiers brave enough to man anti-aircraft guns with nothing more than a towel to clothe them or the brave actions by the hospital ship the Manunda. These stories all came to life for me on the morning of the 25th of April. The dawn service as highlighted in the photo above was an extremely powerful service that made me feel almost indebted to those who have served for our country.

As the Dawn Service continued and the sun began to rose over the Darwin Harbour the very point where on the 19th February 1942 Japanese zero aircraft reached Australian soil the feeling of gratefulness hit me. The gratefulness for being able to spend time with all of the other students who I can now call my “good mates”. The gratefulness for being alongside not those who have served and are serving our country (even a group of US Marines) but the proud people of Darwin felt like such a fitting setting to begin to wrap up the time we have had away.


To conclude, the Anzac Spirit Prize study tour was an experience that I will remember forever as being able to spend time with such a diverse and down to-earth group of people I can now call my good friends. Being able to spend ANZAC day in the city of Darwin alongside my good friends was the best way to conclude the best trip.

I would like to extend my thanks to the teachers Malcolm, Aaron, Jodie and Lauren as well as the best RSL delegate Peter for making the trip one to remember

 

 


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