STRONG TIES: Daniel Matteo, Lachlan Sisco, Eliza Owens and Brian Merchant commemorated Anzac Day with students from New Zealand. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0424bletchanzac
MOST schools commemorate Anzac Day with a ceremony, however the region’s Pre2 community went one step further and invited New Zealand to join them.
Thanks to technology, Pahiatu School students, from the North Island of New Zealand, and Orange students were able to share songs, lay wreaths and remember the fallen together despite being seas apart.
Video conferencing was used to project the ceremonies to each group and Blechington Public School student, Lachlan Sisco, said it was very cool.
“Anzac Day makes me feel like Australia has played a part in something,” he said.
Lachlan was able to play the bugle for students at Pahiatu and his fellow classmates simultaneously. He said he was very nervous about the extra audience members.
“I have been practising for over one-and-a-half years,” he said.
“I was really nervous but once I got into it I was OK.”
Orange Public School captain Eliza Owens said she thought it was amazing that technology allowed them to share Anzac Day with people from other countries.
“It was really awesome to be able to talk to people over in New Zealand and being able to see their Anzac traditions,” she said.
“I feel sad for people that died but happy that we can live in a safe country.”
The Pre2 community consists of primary school children from Blechington, Bowen, Blayney, Calare, Glenroi, Orange East, Orange, Milthorpe and Molong public schools.
nicole.kuter@ruralpress.com