THE ANZAC STORY - What does it mean?
It is a school performance designed specifically to offer students the opportunity to learn through an interactive experience of THE ANZACs. Based on the HSIE Unit "Gallipoli and the ANZAC Tradition" it is an educational resource that no school should go without.
Students hear the anecdotes of the soldiers at war in the trenches at Gallipoli and learn through a heart-warming performance about why Australia as a new nation participated in this overseas conflict.
While the school performance is based on the Year 7-10 Board of Studies History Syllabus, Primary School Students can experience the same interactive show and the importance of commemorating ANZAC DAY.
Can you hear Australia's heroes marching? is a national war memorial song and a tribute to the ANZAC spirit of mateship, courage and sacrifice. The song has been used for commemorative purposes across Australia by schools, churches, choirs, bands, councils, retirement homes, military services, radio stations, RSL branches and ANZAC tributes at NRL & AFL matches. For a copy of the words (lyrics) to be used for school commemorative ceremonies and/or performances ... click here...© Peter Barnes 2001 Concept, title and lyrics: Peter Barnes
Every school across Australia's commerates Anzac Day somehow and offers the community and their students the opportunity to remember those who lost their lives for those who are still living now. The ANZAC Story is a wonderful addition to your school's commeration ceremony as it depicts the courage and mate ship that gave birth to the ANZAC spirit. It tells the story of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps under orders from London landing at the wrong spot at Gallipoli Beach on the Turkish coast. Our brave soliders faced sheers cliffs and a barrage of defence fire from the Turkish Forces which became a military disaster.
Australia as a country was fourteen years old and was made up of colonies. This was the first time we had been to war as a nation and as part of the British Commonwealth they acquitted themselves as a nation under extreme circumstances and the ANZAC Story allows this to be show in a highly acclaimed and remarkable experience for all students.
The show is set in the trenches at Gallipoli four months after the landing following the Battle of Lone Pine. The audience are taken into the action as it is seen through the eyes of the soldier, the Company Sergeant Major - a Boer War Veteran, a young recruit and a nurse. The performance leads the students into the heart of the young recruit Alex Peterson who is proud to have enlisted and to do his part not fully understanding the horror of war and treating it like an adventure. Arriving at the beach he meets the Company Sergeant Major, Norman O’Connor a battle hardened soldier who began his service in the Boer War and who is in command along with Bill a veteran of this campaign. Then there is the Army Medical Corps situated on the Island of Lemnos where Sister Peterson, sister of Alex Peterson, in on duty.
The show involves students as Stretcher Bearers following in the footsteps of Jack Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey Duffy. It deals with the question of conscription and the war effort being made by Australia and whether we have the population to replace the losses. It shows the loneliness of the men and their links with home such as receiving the gum leaves and wattle received in their mail from home and the letters they write back to their loved ones.
The performance uses lights and audio to stimulate the senses of the students to involve them and give them an insight into Australia's role and all it asks, is that we remember the service men and women past and present and keep their memory alive. It is hoped that this production will go a long way in helping the younger generation to understand a little more about why we celebrate ANZAC Day.
It is performed with the greatest respect to the memory of the soldiers and is a moving presentation that treats the subject of the ANZAC and war with honour.
There is no better way to remember the fallen and commerate what they have done, then by experiencing this live, interactive and beautiful event that is makes you feel like you are in the War Zone.
LEST WE FORGET!
Posted by Visiting Year 9 Student on 9th Oct 2011
I thought it was very interesting because of the lighting and sound effects which help create a reality of what it could have been like. I also learnt lot about the Anzac Story and what Anzac Day means.
Originally posted 15 Apr, 2009 ... Site Upgraded
Posted by Year 4 Girl School Student on 9th Oct 2011
I thought the show was great, I loved the clothes, the moves and the noise. It was like the real war but not as loud thank goodness. The hospital stretcher bearers running along was the best and you were so cool I almost cried.
Originally posted 13 Apr, 2009 ... Site Upgraded
Posted by 9 Year Old Student on 9th Oct 2011
I thought the ANZAC Show was great because it was like real life. I like how the actors were dressed. The show was great because you teach the children something about ANZAC. I like the noise it was loud.
Originally posted 25 Apr, 2008 ... Site Upgraded
Posted by 10 Year Old Student on 9th Oct 2011
I thought the ANZAC Show was pretty good. I liked it because it was interesting because it was like real life; the clothes showed us what they wore and how they slept. It was funny when Year 7 boys pretended to be soldiers. I wish I could have had a turn.
Originally posted 10 Apr, 2008 ... Site Upgraded
Posted by Primary School Student on 9th Oct 2011
The best thing I liked about the show today was that we could learn about the ANZAC in the war and when the people got to carry the wounded around. The sound of the guns were a bit loud but they were still good. I would like to say thank you for letting us go to the show it was great.
Originally posted 8 Apr, 2008 ... Site Upgraded
Posted by Year 4 student on 9th Oct 2011
The thing I liked most about the show was when the people had to carry the wounded person. The show also helped me lean about ANZAC Day a lot. I would also like to say thank you for letting us come to the show, it was great fun.
Originally posted 10 Apr, 2007 ... Site Upgraded