ANZAC Day

The unmistakable call of The Last Post resonated throughout Adelaide's suburbs at dawn on ANZAC Day as Rostrevor College music students joined hundreds of "driveway" musicians in a poignant tribute to the nation's servicemen and women.
The College, which traditionally holds a large ANZAC Day assembly, liturgy and service, was determined the restrictions on large gatherings caused by Covid-19 would not stop them honouring those who had served.

 

Rostrevor's Head of Arts, Mr Peter Waterman, said the school knew Anzac Day was going to look a lot different in 2020 with social distancing.

 

"So, we encouraged all our brass musicians, young and old, to learn the music for The Last Post and practice during the school holidays," Mr Waterman said.

 

At dawn on Saturday, April 25, more than 15 students stood on their driveways, many with family and neighbours in attendance, and performed The Last Post followed by a minute's silence and The Rouse.

 

Year 7 Alecs Zorzi, whose ancestors fought in Europe in WWII and at Gallipoli in WWI, said it was a moving and memorable experience.

 

"I was thinking of my great grandfather and my great, great grandfather and thanked them for serving our country," Alecs, 12, said.

 

"I felt proud to be Australian and to have done such a special thing."

 

Mr Waterman said many of the students recorded themselves playing The Last Post which resulted in a video montage which was posted on social media on Anzac Day as a mark of respect.

 

"Rostrevor has a lot of talented and dedicated musicians who have been playing their brass instruments for many years and this will be one of those moments they will remember forever," he said.

 

The College was overwhelmed by positive feedback from parents, grandparents and the broader community in response to its Anzac Day initiative.

 

Rostrevor parent Michelle Matthews, whose father Corporal Bruno A J Adamczyk 9RAR paid the ultimate sacrifice while fighting for his country, was particularly touched by Rostrevor's musical tribute.

 

"My dad's plaque is next to the Rostrevor Chapel," Mrs Matthews said. He attended Rostrevor in the late 50s and early 60s. He was a regular soldier and went to Vietnam in November '68 and was killed on active duty on the 12th July, 1969, aged 22.

 

"This is my 50th Anzac Day without him. He would be so proud of his former school as I am."

 

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