DSTA NEWS
Battle for Australia Commemoration National Ceremony
Ambassadors of St Thomas More’s Primary School attended the Battle for Australia National Commemoration Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial on 5 September 2018.
The Battle for Australia covers the period from the Malayan campaign and the fall of Rabaul, Singapore and the East Indies, through the Japanese invasion of Papua New Guinea, air and submarine raids on Australian towns and shipping, the 1942 battles of the Coral Sea, Milne Bay, the Kokoda Track and Guadalcanal, up to the recapture of Buna and Gona and the battle of the Bismarck Sea in early 1943. Also remembered are those who contributed to the war effort on the home front and the subsequent campaigns to liberate New Guinea, the Pacific and South East Asia. 2018 marks the 75th Anniversary of the recapture of Papua and the Battle of the Bismarck Sea.
The twelve ambassadors were Years 5 and 6 students, selected to attend the event based on their completion of optional homework: Madeline Beesley, Eva Davidson, Elly Grace, Lacie Hill, Lindsay Holmes, Patrick Keating, Anneleise Keir, Sophie Neighbour, Gabrielle Shoebridge, Sarah Tarleton, Ava Walsh and Siena Weston. Well done to all of these students for your efforts. Their submissions are displayed in the Front Office.
This poem was submitted by Lindsay Holmes.
Hope
In a war that tears apart the world,
hope means a lot of different things
Maybe it’s hoping you win
Or hoping for what the next day brings
You could have a loved one away in the war
Hoping they will survive
Hoping they’d write
Or just that you could once again see them alive
Maybe you’re not fighting with fire and guns
Maybe you’re fleeing from your country
Or hoping for your family to stay alive
Or just hoping for your safety
Maybe you’ve seen things you never wanted to see
Maybe you did something you never wanted to do
So now you’re just hoping for it to end
In a war like this it’s not just you
No matter what you’re hoping for,
We all are
We are all in a battle
The Battle for Australia
Because that is the exact definition of hope
To trust something
To want something
To end something
Like a war
Defence Community Organisation (DCO) Canberra E-News August/September Highlights
What Lifeline Bookfair
When Friday 7- Sunday 9 September
Where Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC), Flemington Rd & Northbourne Ave, Mitchell
Info Huge range of books, movies, music, games, comics and more, at low prices! Entry by gold coin donation. Fundraiser for Lifeline’s local 13 11 14 crisis support and suicide prevention service. To find out more follow the link
http://www.act.lifeline.org.au/item/sept‐2018‐bf
Kookaburra Kids
Kookaburra Kids Foundation run a program for Defence kids aged 8–18yrs who have a parent with a mental illness as a result of their military service (serving and ex-serving or spouse). Their Activity Days provide children with an opportunity to participate in activities, meet new friends, learn new skills and have fun. For more information see www.kookaburrakids.org.au . The next event for Canberra area is a primary-aged camp to be held 19-21 October. Contact Nick 6109 0408 or nick.atkin@kookaburrakids.org.au to register.
Feel welcome to visit or contact me on 6249 8869 or send an email to sonja.mingay@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Sonja Mingay
DSTA
Work hours: Mon-Wed 9am-3pm, Thu 9-11am