Annual school ANZAC Day service at Kings Park

13/4/94

More than 700 students will gather in Kings Park today (Wednesday) to hear and remember the ANZAC story in the annual school ANZAC Day commemoration.

The students will gather at 11 am at the State War Memorial to mark the 79th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing which forged the ANZAC legend.

Education Minister Norman Moore said today the school ANZAC Day service was traditionally held in the last week of the first term, because ANZAC Day itself fell during the school holidays.

"This arrangement enables schoolchildren to take part in a significant service when they otherwise might not have had the opportunity," Mr Moore said.

"Individual schools are also encouraged to organise their own commemorative service before the holidays."

This year's schools service at Kings Park would feature six Kelmscott Senior High School theatre arts students reading Voices of Anzac, an item based on archive letters and postcards from soldiers at war.

Student commentators Laura Williams and Nicholas Aplin, from Wembley Primary School, would lead the ceremony, which starts at 11.30 am.

Representing the children of WA at the wreath laying would be two wards of Legacy, North Parmelia Primary School students Diana and Michael Rothwell, whose father fought in the Vietnam war.

Kelmscott Senior High School's concert band and chorale would play and sing throughout the ceremony, and Year 10 band member, trumpet player Wayne Inkpen, would play the Last Post.

Local parliamentarians and members of the RSL were among the invited guests and this year's guest speaker would be MLC Derrick Tomlinson.

Media contacts:  Sandy Oliver 264 5348 or pager 480 4660

Ross Storey 321 1444 or 222 9595 Mobile:  018 950 142