In the lead up to Anzac Day, Year 6 students from Oxley college and their teachers united with Honour our Fallen (HOF) to lay flags in honour of servicemen who are buried in Bowral Cemetery.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The initiative, which aims to have flags on every memorial plaque and grave of those who have served, is driven to have their legacy carry through the community.
It also strives for students to be actively involved in researching their history.
Oxley College students were assigned with names of those who served, and came prepared with papers detailing their legacy, and thanking them for their sacrifice.
Once they discovered where the person they researched was buried, they stood and read their tribute, and mounted a flag near their grave, or clipped it to the wall.
Year 6 student Claudia said that Oxley was grateful for their service and it was "really nice" of the college to commemorate them.
Her classmate Alexander added that " if we did not have them in our lives, Australia wouldn't be as peaceful."
Read more:
Parents also came along to see their children pay tribute.
Owen Zupp came along to see his son Hayden mount flags while he was wearing his grandfather's medals.
"Anzac Day holds high significance in our family," Mr Zupp said.
The medals belonged to Mr Zupp's father who was an Army Commando in World War II and a Fighter Pilot in the Korean War.
Mr Zupp also mentioned that all four of Hayden's grandparents had served in wars.
"Hayden learnt very early on the significance of Anzac Day," he said.
Stage 3 teacher Jonathan Hunt said that taking part in Honour Our Fallen had been a rewarding experience, and had been an interactive way for students to learn about ANZAC Day.
"We're making a living history by recognising everyone who served," he said.
Honour Our Fallen founder Rick McCarthy mentioned that over 162 cemeteries had been included in the movement this year, and that over 33,000 flags had been erected since beginning in 2018.
He also said approximately 3,200 flags had been laid in the Southern Highlands alone.
The school was not the only one making discoveries - Board Member John Stead came across something he had "not anticipated."
"I discovered three more graves to lay flags for, which is great." he said.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.