Middle Kinglake Primary School
Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (09:38): Middle Kinglake Primary School have set the benchmark when it comes to student-led Anzac Day services. It was again a pleasure to attend this year’s service at the school. I want to commend MCs Alannah Strubing and Cullen Gardiner and the grade 5 and 6 students who spoke with confidence and knowledge at the service: Willow Sarkkinen, Alexis Rowson, Bonnie Richardson, Curtis Reid, Ruby Puzin, Airlie Kiss, Christian Ingle, Arthur McCormack, Rose Evans, William Barlow, Saphira Borg, Olivia Dinatale, Ripley Jenkins, Carmen Barwick, Ben Bailey and Will Alford. Alannah also laid a wreath on my behalf at the Kinglake dawn service. Bonnie Richardson is an exceptional talent. She read the poem she wrote for the occasion, Whispers from the Bloodied Shore. Bonnie’s poem was so good that the Whittlesea RSL read it at their Anzac Day service the following day and Marymeade Catholic College used it at their school service. Congratulations to principal Meagan Callander and Di Wilkinson-Hill for another successful service and, more importantly, for instilling the importance of respecting and remembering our Anzacs into our younger generation.