ANZAC Service 1st May 2009  At the annual ANZAC service staff and students joined with many other guests in celebrating the ANZAC spirit and remembering the sacrifice that was made for our freedom. Mr John Xerub President of Wanneroo-Joondalup RSL, Mr Luke Simpkins MP Federal Member for Cowan, Mr Paul Miles MLA and Mr Brett Treby Deputy Mayor for the City of Wanneroo as well as several board and life members and residents from Bethanie Warwick and Brightwater Madeley made up our distinguished guests for the occasion. Master of Ceremonies, Deputy Principal Mrs Jaki Sutton welcomed everyone and this was followed by a prayer from College Chaplain Mr Darren Birch. The national anthem was sung by all led by Mrs Sharon Davis and then our guest speaker Mr Luke Simpkins was introduced.  Mr Simpkins began by encouraging our students to look around them and appreciate the freedom and safety they have in Australia. There are many other countries where young people do not have these freedoms and are limited by their race, religion and other factors. Mr Simpkins stated numbers of Australians who died in the First and Second World Wars and also said that ten Australians have died in Afghanistan fighting Taliban extremists. He challenged students to consider that if our female students lived in Afghanistan they could not attend school or go out in public without a male relative.  Mr Simpkins continued speaking of Gallipoli where he said "Australian courage was defined and was the start of our national pride. ANZAC day commemorates service and responsibility. Responsibility is the foundation on which ANZAC is built and every Australian should embrace a personal responsibility and be true to ANZAC, our country, community and friends." College Captain JJ Schoeman then read Psalm 91 followed by a lively performance of Vintage songs by staff members dressed as soldiers, a sailor and a nurse. Our guests from neighbouring retirement villages sang along to these songs from their era with great gusto. ‘A Tribute to ANZAC Day’ was then read by our female College captain Gemma Little followed by archive video footage. Wreaths were then laid by our guests of honour and two student leaders followed by a minute's silence. Student leader Megan Rule then read the moving excerpt from ‘Ode to the Fallen’ followed by the stirring bugle rendition of The Last Post played by Lance Corporal David Scott, a grandparent of the College. Whilst this was played our Cadets formed a guard of honour and performed the traditional flag ceremony. The service closed with the singing of Amazing Grace led by Mrs Sharon Davis and a closing prayer by College Chaplain Mrs Debra Kerbey. Guests, parents and nominated students then enjoyed an excellent morning tea put on by the Home Economics students.  Many of our guests commented on how much they had enjoyed the service and the good behaviour of our students and several of our retirement village guests proudly showed off medals and told stories of their own and their relations' involvement in the First and Second World Wars.