Postcards send powerful message in Kilcoy on Anzac Day

A significant part of Anzac Day proceedings in Kilcoy involved students from Kilcoy State School and Mt Kilcoy State School taking part in the ‘Postcards of Honour’ program.

The primary school students drew a postcard and wrote a message on it, and then presented it to a veteran.

Kilcoy RSL sub-branch president Shane Williams said, “The meaning behind it is that back in WWI, postcards was one of the only ways to communicate with family. The idea came from RSL Queensland that supplied all the resources.”

Mt Kilcoy State School captain Georgie Ede said students from the 4/5 and 5/6 class participated in the program “for our veterans”.

“Our students thoroughly enjoyed making an artwork and writing a lovely personal message to a veteran, thanking them for their great sacrifices,” Georgie said in a statement.

“In this process, our students recognised the great sacrifices and generosity that those veterans put in for our country and were happy that they could express those feelings to a real veteran.

“At the Kilcoy Anzac Day ceremony, the attending students had an opportunity to give the postcard that they had previously created to a veteran.

“We, the students enjoyed creating the postcards and wanted the veterans to know that their great service didn’t go unnoticed.

“This was truly one of the most special parts of Anzac Day this year for the students, and we hope that it really showed our gratitude to our veterans, as Australia wouldn’t be the same free, peaceful place it is today without them.”

Kilcoy State School year 5/6 teacher Tony Rasmussen commented on behalf of himself and the school’s other year 5/6 teacher: Megan Corby.

“The Postcards of Honour project which we worked on with Shane Williams, president of the Kilcoy RSL (sub-branch), was a great opportunity for our students to connect with the local community and to gain a deeper understanding of what Anzac Day is all about,” he said.

“Our students learnt about the sacrifice that so many ex and current service men and women have made and are currently making in keeping Australia safe.

“The students are truly thankful for these men and women.

“Watching the students hand out their postcards to veterans and current service personnel was a heart-warming experience, and we have been told it was greatly appreciated by the recipients.

“Thank you to RSL Queensland and Shane Williams for coordinating the whole experience.”

Hundreds of people attended the service at the Kilcoy RSL sub-branch, with regular features including speeches, laying wreaths, The Ode, The Last Post, and the Australian national anthem.

Students from Kilcoy State School sang songs including God Defend New Zealand, Amazing Grace, and In The Silence.