The experience of “mateship” was one of the most powerful lessons learnt by a group from Lucas Heights Community School, who attended last year’s centenary commemoration at Gallipoli.
Twenty-five high schools in NSW were chosen by ballot to be represented at the historic occasion.
Three other schools in Sutherland Shire – Cronulla High, Port Hacking High and De La Salle College Caringbah, also sent groups of four students and a teacher.
The Lucas Heights Community School group comprised teacher Kate Graham and students Alicia Hull, Veronica Redman, Kristen Grundie and Ethan Waudby.
Kristen Grundie won selection after researching her great great uncle, Frederick Albert Archer, who died on the Western Front in World I.
Details about the man the family called ‘‘Uncle Freddy’’ had been sketchy until Kristen delved into the Australian War Memorial archives and studied his diary and other material.
In the lead-up to this year’s Anzac Day, Kristen told of her experience at Gallipoli.
“It was the most amazing thing I have ever done, and I don’t think I will ever experience anything like that again,” she said.
“Being around the other kids, meeting others from all over Australia and, together, seeing what the Anzacs went through was incredible.
”One of the most memorable moments was when we went to the Lone Pine Cemetery and this boy spontaneously pulled out a bugle and played the Last Post.”
Kristen was overwhelmed at seeing the trenches used by the soldiers.
“They were so shallow, the height of half the body length of a normal person.
“We felt a group of soldiers as we went through the trenches.”
Kristen said they were part of a group of about 40 students, and together they developed a feeling of “mateship”, which they believed resembled to some degree what the Anzacs experienced.
“We stuck together very closely and looked out for each other,” she said.
Teacher Kate Graham said seeing the students interacting and developing that “mateship” was the best thing about the trip.
It had continued on their return when they had supported a group member who became seriously ill.
Ms Graham said she had been “a fence sitter” about Anzac Day until the visit, but was now sure Gallipoli had shaped Australia’s identity.