Year 11 student Ivy Jones stepped onto the Civic Theatre stage, hoping to bring Newcastle war stories to a new generation.
“These are not just stories, these are people’s lives and so being able to reenact that and to educate younger generations is really meaningful to me,” Ivy said.
On Tuesday, March 31, public, independent and Catholic school students from across the Hunter Region performed the 70th edition of the Newcastle and Hunter Combined Anzac Service.
Twelve year 11 students collaborated on the project to research, write and put together a performance under the theme of “Lest We Forget – Carrying the Flame of Remembrance”.
This year’s show focused on the ways in which Australians commemorate Anzac Day, including public cenotaphs, war memorials and personal ways of remembrance.
Ivy was part of the research subcommittee and the drama ensemble for Aspire, a Catholic schools music and drama program.
“We have been meeting since November last year, and our main goal was trying to figure out how we can make it really engaging, and make sure they can take away something meaningful,” she said.
She said the 70th performance was different to past years because it combined the drama part of the show with the traditional, formal Anzac service.
“I think the theme is really special because it’s relatable and it impacts all Australians because we each have our own ways of remembering,” she said.
Ivy said she found it interesting to learn about local stories such as Private John ‘Jack’ Grothen, who died from a gunshot wound in World War I.
He was given a bible from his mother, which was brought back to his family after the war, hidden in the walls of their home, and later uncovered after the 1989 Newcastle earthquake.
“Being able to have my own little part in the service, in the drama and the research committee is really special,” she said.
Fellow committee member, Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown student Elizabeth Woodcock said being in the audience at last year’s performance made her want to get involved this year.
“I’m really passionate about history, and I find the Anzac legend fascinating and it was quite privilege for me to use that knowledge to give back to the community,” she said.
“I thought it was such a unique event that was able to incorporate all of these different aspects of drama, music and research.”
Artistic director Shane Bransdon said students would also lay red poppies at Civic Park after the ceremony.
“While the students always watch wreaths being laid as part of the service… this year they will get to lay their own tributes,” he said.
This article has been produced by The Newcastle Herald.
