ANZAC Day 2009
On the 25 th of April 2009, AIS Balikpapan participated in the ANZAC Day dawn service. ANZAC Day has special significance in Balikpapan as it was the scene of the final large scale allied land operation involving Australian servicemen in WW II. In all 229 Australians and around 1800 Japanese died. Many Indonesians lost their lives. This battle is remembered by Indonesians as the time for winning their liberation from Japanese occupancy. The role of Australia in this victory is respected and Indonesian ex-servicemen and widows annually commemorate the occasion at the ‘Memorial’. It is well attended by the Australian and New Zealand expatriate community as well as dignitaries and servicemen and women from the Australian embassy in Jakarta.
Students from AIS Balikpapan, Years 3 - 7 attended the service and laid a wreath of remembrance at the memorial. A traditional ANZAC day breakfast was held at Le Grandeur Hotel following the service. The AIS choir performed at the breakfast, singing the school song, “We are Children of the World”, adapted from the original song, “We are Australian”, written 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers. The students’ performance was well regarded by all of the audience, with special thanks to conductor, a talented AIS staff member, Ms Mery Krisma Sinaga. The performance was backed by a slideshow on two enormous screens. The images reflected the friendship and love of learning evident everyday at AIS Balikpapan.
The inaugural ‘ANZAC DAY CUP’ Australian rules football carnival followed. Many of our students, parents and staff participated in this fun event. Teams from Jakarta challenged the mighty Borneo Bears. It was an excellent example of the community spirit in the town. Well done to all involved.
Students from Years 3 – 7 wrote reflections on the day in their journals. These recount both the camaraderie and reverence of the occasion from the students’ perspective. AIS staff and parents are rightfully proud of the attitudes and behaviour of our students displayed on the day.
Please click on the thumbnails to see the enlarged picture or click here to see slideshow.
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