Year 6 students Elke Rogers and Millie Reynolds hold a native wreath above the St Mary’s Primary School memorial plaque.
For the students of St Mary’s Primary School, Remembrance Day is about far more than dates in a history book — it is a reminder that peace begins with their own daily choices.
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The school community gathered alongside parents and local guests to honour those who served, welcoming Vietnam veteran Ray Lewis to share his account of military service.
Mr Lewis’s involvement began at the Anzac Day march in Echuca this year, where his grandson, Year 4 student Sam Farrant, proudly marched wearing the family’s war medals.
The moment sparked curiosity and conversation across the school community, leading to an invitation for Mr Lewis to share his lived experiences first-hand.
During his address, Mr Lewis recounted being conscripted into the Australian Army in 1962 under the national service ballot system — a process where the literal drawing of a marble decided whether a young man would be called up to serve his country.
He reflected on the uncertainty surrounding his call-up and the realities faced by young Australians stepping forward to serve their country.
To bring his stories to life, Mr Lewis arrived with a bag of personal mementoes — including a shirt he wore on active service in Vietnam and his well-worn slouch hat, which young Sam proudly tried on for his ‘Poppa’ in front of the whole school.
Year 4 students (back) Maisie Hunter, Chloe Reynolds and Sylvie Cavallaro, and (front) Alba Mathers and Georgia Leat gather beside the school’s Remembrance Day poppy wall.
St Mary’s leader of pedagogy Colleen Hampson said having tangible items alongside Mr Lewis’s personal account made a lasting impression on the students.
“Providing visuals to support Ray with his delivery enhanced the experience, as our learners were able to witness by hearing and seeing what Ray was speaking about,” Ms Hampson said.
“Conversations followed later as learners shared with staff their own stories of grandparents who fought in war and those who may or may not be still alive.”
Ms Hampson said hearing directly from veterans gives young people an irreplaceable opportunity to understand the true human cost of conflict — without romanticising or glorifying war.
“For many of our students, these stories may be unfamiliar or heard for the very first time,” she said.
“Through the sharing of lived experiences, learners are able to connect with the human impact of conflict and appreciate the sacrifices made by others.
“These stories also foster gratitude for the peace, freedom and security we enjoy in Australia today, while encouraging them to reflect on their responsibility to contribute to a more just and peaceful world.”
Ms Hampson noted that the themes of Remembrance Day aligned naturally with the school’s religious education curriculum, its restorative practices and the guiding motto the whole community lived by — faith, trust and love.
“We remind our learners that peace begins with each one of us, in the choices we make, the words we speak and the way we treat others,” she said.
“As we reflect on occasions such as Remembrance Day and hear the stories of those who have experienced conflict first-hand, we are reminded that peace should never be taken for granted.”
Year 1 student Otis Warren places a knitted poppy on the Remembrance Day wall display at the school.
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