By Callum Ludwig
Students from a few Upper Yarra schools had the opportunity to tour the Shrine of Remembrance and learn about Australia’s war history on Tuesday 21 November.
An excursion for the senior students from the Wesburn, Millwarra and Warburton Primary Schools is a yearly initiative of the Warburton RSL Sub-branch.
Past president of the Warburton RSL Wayne Morgan said the excursions have been running for approximately eight years, having been started by Albert Grulke.
“It is very rewarding as a member of the RSL to see these kids gain something from it, and it was lovely because a couple of the kids found some old paperwork with their grandparents’ names in it and were really excited to see their family history there,” he said.
“We are grateful for the continued support from our locals, and particularly the school children, as we have them participate in our Anzac Day Services, and on occasion the Remembrance Day Services so it’s a way for us to give back to them.”
56 students from the three schools attended on the day.
Wesburn Primary School Principal Anne Stenhouse said it’s such a wonderful opportunity for students to experience these places of remembrance and listen and speak to such knowledgeable and passionate guides.
“Many students today are very hands-on learners and providing them with an in-person, authentic experience helps them to feel the gravity of what some of these men and women went through, fighting for their country,”
“The atmosphere inside the shrine with its quiet, echoing hallways really sets the mood and without realising it, the students all automatically adopt such a respectful attitude. That’s difficult to achieve in a classroom.”
The excursion was once again supported by the Upper Yarra Community Op Shop and this year, the Millgrove Residents Action Group (MRAG) also helped fund the trip.
5/6C student at Millwarra Primary School Elissa said the Shrine was very fascinating.
“My favourite thing was a grave, but not for a person. It said ‘GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN’ on the top,” she said.
“When it is 11am on Remembrance Day, the light comes through a hole and shines on the word ‘LOVE’. It was very pretty and I loved the balcony it had going all around the building.”
4/5/6B student at Millwarra Primary School Sid said the first thing they looked at was two men back to back which meant the two different timelines of the wars WW1 and WW2.
“Then we went to this grave thing and it showed us a light so on the eleventh day of the eleventh month the light shines bright. Then we went to see the landing boat that held 30 people,” he said.
“Then we saw the 1 millionth brick and it was the only white brick in the whole place. Then we saw some books. Last we saw the turret.”
All students were also given a gold coin to donate to the Shrine.
Millwarra Primary School teacher Andy Bennett said no generation should be ignorant of the past.
“We are all impacted by history, many mistakes were made and we can all learn from them. Likewise, many examples of resilience, courage, sacrifice and service were made,” he said.
“These are things that ought to inspire all of us. Understanding wars through history does not glorify them, indeed, taught properly it does the opposite,”
“We are profoundly grateful to the Warburton RSL Sub-Branch for funding an experience like this for our senior students.”
