Students from across the Hunter sang and acted their hearts out on Tuesday, putting a twist on the typical ANZAC Day service.
In its 69th year, Newcastle and Hunter Combined Schools’ ANZAC Day Service told the stories of six women throughout Australia’s military history.
The theme “Women in War – Their Australian Story” spotlighted women in and out of uniform through scripts written by 12 Year 11 students.
“We always want to have a local focus and we like to tell an educational story that is important,” Artistic Director Dr Shane Bransdon said.
“The involvement of women in war has had such a remarkable evolution since Australia’s federation,” he said.
Dr Bransdon said the performance project brought together students from public, Catholic and independent schools to research and interview the women highlighted.
Students then were either narrators, actors or part of the on-stage orchestra.
Dr Bransdon said throughout their research the students found that equity and involvement of women in the defence forces was improving.
“But it’s important to keep the conversation going,” he said.
Toby Kachur from St Francis Xavier College researched Captain Wendy Horder, who was involved in peacekeeping in the Royal Australian Air Force rather than active combat.
He said he learnt that for women in the military, there was still a way to go.
“There is still prejudice against women serving,” Mr Kachur said.
Evie Turnbull from Lambton High School said she spent a long time researching Navy Commodore Allison Norris, from Maitland.
“I found out things I did not know at all, like how recent it was that women have been involved in the military,” she said.
“It’s been amazing seeing it all come together and seeing how our research has influenced our performance,” she said.
Around 60 students were involved in the production, with roughly 3000 from 66 schools attending the two performances on Tuesday, April 1 at the Newcastle Civic Theatre.
The event was free for primary and high school students to attend.
Dr Bransdon said the students learn a lot from the production process and getting to interview people with inspirational stories.
“The other message, which is important now more than ever, is that war is futile,” he said.
“That message of the challenges that it brings and the need for diplomacy is something that is always considered as well.”
The annual production was sponsored by Newcastle Permanent and Newcastle City Council this year.
Dr Bransdon said the performance relied on sponsorships and community donations to remain a free event for school kids.
