Anzac Day celebrated differently in 2020
On Saturday 25 April 2020, Anzac Day was celebrated much differently with no community gatherings permitted.
Our community managed to find new ways to pay their respect to those who have served our nation, with many up at dawn to participate in a virtual dawn service and hear the sound of the last post echoed through the suburbs.
On Thursday 23 April 2020, Headmaster Dr Rob McEwan spoke with ABC Radio Hobart about Anzac Day and past student Ben Chuck (’01) who lost his life serving our country. Listen to Dr McEwan’s interview on Vimeo or in the video below.
The Hutchins School Old Boys’ Association paid tribute to captain Frank Bethune, an Old Boy who received the Military Cross for bravery. Listen to this story and an excerpt from his speech on Vimeo or in the video below.
Hutchins students have also thought of ways to pay their respects to those fallen. In their latest podcast, Alexander Kuzis (Year 12 School Vice-Captain) and Ewan Sloan (Year 12 School Captain) interview Michael Bonnitcha (Year 12) who is the Warrant Officer for the Australian Army Cadets and Miss Gemma Leonard who is a volunteer adult supervisor of the Army Cadets. They discuss: What is Anzac Day?, how to commemorate during self-isolation, the Light the Dawn service and how you can make the perfect Anzac biscuit. Listen to the latest Hutchins Podcast on our podcast page or below.
The 2020 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize group were due to arrive in Belgium on 16 April. Year 10 student William Zeeman was chosen to represent Tasmania, The Hutchins School but most importantly his ancestors who gave their lives to fight for their country in World War I. It's great to see that even though the trip was cancelled William was able to keep the Anzac spirit alive at home by making and delivering 35 lanterns and letters to his whole street. “I spent hours making the lanterns in hope it would encourage everyone to join in with the Anzac Day light the dawn service in their own driveways, to remember and honour those who have serviced and sacrificed.” Read the full post on Facebook.
On Wednesday 29 April, Hutchins staff, students and community members participated virtually in the Anzac Day service which was shown online. Watch the service on Vimeo or in the video below.