Community Quicklinks

Anzac Day at Grammar

The spirit of Anzac was vividly recalled and honoured, as we marked this important occasion in the traditional Grammar fashion.

 

This year’s Anzac Day commemorations on Friday 28 April returned to the traditional format of concurrent events taking place in Big School for Form IV, visiting Old Sydneians, Housemasters and the Headmaster, as well as a simultaneous commemoration in the John Vallance Hall for Forms I, II, III, V, and VI and Tutors.

Guest speakers Captain Hamish Wallace (OS 2011) and Brigadier David Shields (OS 1979) addressed the Big School and JVH audiences, respectively. Lieutenant Colonel Colin Dunston RFD (OS 1965) delivered the customary reading during the service in Big School and kindly provided rosemary sprigs from Legacy to hand out to Assembly guests on the day.

Pictured: Big School Anzac Assembly guest speaker Captain Hamish Wallace (OS 2011)

Captain Wallace graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon following his time at Grammar and was then posted to the Seventh Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) after completing a Bachelor of Science majoring in Mathematics and Oceanography, a Bachelor of Cybersecurity and Master of Space Operations. He is currently working for ADFA where he is the Divisional Officer instructing army, navy, and air force officer trainees. Captain Wallace talked about the importance of Anzac Day today for both older and younger generations, how Australia has maintained that legacy of fighting for causes that mattered in ever-changing defence environments but also acknowledging that it can be a time of very challenging and conflicting emotions.

Pictured: Prefects Nirav Prasan and Oscar Luker greeting Assembly guests with rosemary sprigs

Brigadier David Shields addressed the Assembly held in the John Vallance Hall. He has undertaken 35 years of military service including a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan as part of the NATO International Security Assistance Force and currently works with the Australian Defence Export Office. David has commanded Australian and allied forces and served as chief, placing high importance in education and training. He completed a Master of Defence Studies in 2000 at UNSW.

A lunch for attending Old Boys was then held in the Wallace King Room that included a talk by History master and war historian Dr MR Glozier on Sydney Grammar School’s historic tradition of military service, from AB (Banjo) Paterson’s journalism during the Boer War and WWI to Headmaster Weigall’s formation of the Grammar Cadet Corps in 1870, as well as many other Old Sydneians who distinguished themselves during service or made the ultimate sacrifice.

Pictured: L-R: Bruce Marich (OS 1961) and LTCOL David Eyland (OS 1987)

Return to Stories
Sydney Grammar School

College Street, Darlinghurst
NSW 2010 Australia

Phone: (02) 9332 5800

Edgecliff Preparatory School

Alma Street, Paddington
NSW 2021 Australia

Phone: (02) 9366 0100

St Ives Preparatory School

Ayres Rd, St Ives
NSW 2075 Australia

Phone: (02) 8302 5200

Keep Connected