Malaya Borneo Remembrance Service

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30 May 2016

Earlier this month Thomas Carr College, Tarneit, held its annual Commemorative Service for the Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association in the CollegeImage 1 - Mr Vern Jones delivers his address at Thomas Carr College. Image 2 - Thomas Duxson, Veteran Mr John O'Regan and Paul Tomelty Chapel. A fixture on the College calendar for nearly 15 years, veterans, invited guests and the College community gathered to honour those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for Australia.

Those present at the service included Mr Tony O’Byrne, Secondary Principal Consultant, Western Region Office, Catholic Education Melbourne, Ms Joanne Ryan, Federal Member for Lalor, Cr Adele Hegedich, Mayor of Wyndham, and Councillors Glenn Goodfellow, Gautam Gupta and Heather Marcus.

In what is always a respectful and moving service, National President Mr Owen Marshall introduced veteran Mr Vern Joseph who gave the official address, sharing his varied life and military experiences and providing a wonderful message of tolerance, equality and peace.

The Ode was recited by highly decorated veteran Mr John O’Regan while Thomas Carr College Year 10 Student, Kirubel Mengistu, played a stirring rendition of the Last Post.

Thomas Carr College Middle School leader and Year 9 student Drashti Shah, who was involved in the service for the third straight year, spoke of the service’s importance to both the College and the Veteran’s alike.

‘The veterans share their memories and teach us more about the hardships they went through. Thomas Carr College plays such an important part in the lives of these veterans, so much so that at the Anzac Day March the school captains hold the Malaya and Borneo
flags and banner, and march forward with pride.’

At the conclusion of the service Mr Marshall presented those students who marched on ANZAC Day with framed Certificates of Appreciation for their contribution, recognising that these are the young men and women who will continue on their legacy into the future.

After this the gathered crowd moved to the College dining room where, over a delightful lunch, veterans and students regaled each other with stories of their lives and experiences and thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.