The Australasian, Saturday 29 April 1916, p.49. The caption reads 'Anzac Day amongst the State Schools: Brigadier-General R.E. Williams addressing 1,400 scholars at North Park Reserve, Brunswick on April 20.'
This was the first Anzac Day and a number of newspapers reported on the Moreland State School commemorations. The Brunswick and Coburg Leader proclaimed it a 'colossal affair', and it seems that it was. The day started at the school with ceremonies on the school site then the teachers and students headed down to North Park Reserve for an impressive ceremony. The VIPs present included the Lord Mayor Sir David Hennessy, Brigadier-General R.E. Williams and Frank Tate, the Director of Education. That evening, back at the school, there was a musical evening for parents and relatives of past scholars who had enlisted.
There were ceremonies in other parts of what we now call Moreland. At 10.30 am that day, the recently opened Brunswick Technical School held its commemoration, with special guests the Mayor and Mayoress of Brunswick, Mr and Mrs Balfe. It was reported that Brunswick Tech was the only technical school in Victoria to celebrate Anzac Day.
Much further north, at Campbellfield State School, the children took part in what sounds like a celebration more than a commemoration. There were flags for each child, fireworks, sweets and nuts. The emphasis seemed to be on whipping up patriotic fervour rather than solemn reflection. (It was still three months before the huge loss of life at Fromelles.)
The Education Department took its role in supporting the war effort very seriously and struck an Anzac Medal for the occasion, planning to sell it to children on the day for sixpence then distribute it to the public at the cost of one shilling. The money raised would go towards the war effort.
Age, 19 April 1916
Sources:
Age, 19 April 1916
Australasian, 29 April 1916, 6 May 1916
Brunswick and Coburg Leader, 14 April 1916, 28 April 1916, 5 May 1916
Punch, 20 April 1916
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