ANZAC Day Commemoration

ANZAC Day 2025 commemorates 110 years since the Gallipoli landings, where the ANZAC troops joined the allied forces in a campaign to capture Constantinople, with an aim to open a supply route to Russia, via the Dardanelles and the Black Sea.

On the 25^th April 1915, 16,000 ANZACs landed at Gallipoli. More troops would arrive in the months following. During the course of the 9-month campaign, there would be 26,000 Australian casualties, including 8,141 deaths.

It is worth bearing in mind that approximately 10% of Australia’s population at that time were enlisted into the Australian Imperial Army.

The campaign resulted in a stalemate and the eventual withdrawal of allied troops, including the ANZAC's who were no match for an enemy defending its homeland.

Although the Gallipoli campaign was not successful in achieving its objectives, what cannot be denied was the reputation the ANZAC’s earned. Despite the fact that the ANZAC’s were their enemy, the Ottoman Turks recognised the bravery and resilience of men they believed were forced to fight in a war they did not understand or choose.

To mark this year’s 110^th commemoration, and to honour our ANZACs, RVSSC students, staff and the Defence School Mentor, as well as members of the wider community have been working hard to create a poppy waterfall for the library ANZAC Day display. With over 300 crocheted poppies so far, the waterfall is now in the construction phase. The waterfall will complement the ANZAC Display which can be viewed by students during ANZAC week at the library.  The waterfall will be added to for future commemorations as a mindful activity for our students.

Coffee & Chat

This week saw the first RVSSC Defence parent group for the year.  Once a term, Defence parents of Ripley Valley SSC gather to network, share experiences and be informed of supports that are available to them through the Defence Member and Family Support Branch.

The importance of connection cannot be underestimated, especially when you are raising a family in the military lifestyle.

Being a member of the ADF presents unique challenges for their families.  Frequent or extended absences of the Defence member due to exercises and deployments, coupled with frequent moves to new towns, states or even abroad for postings, means families often find themselves isolated, disconnected and apart from extend family, friends and supports. Added challenges are finding homes, schools, doctors, specialists, and for many Defence spouses, new jobs.

The Coffee & Chat offers RVSSC Defence parents, especially those newly posted in, an opportunity to connect with other Defence families of the college, with whom they can share their lived experiences with. Parents can also engage with college support staff, Defence Member and Family Support staff, and be connected to their new community.

The aim of the Defence parent group is to connect our Defence families to our college community so that they, and their children, can feel supported and engaged with our school community for the time that they are with us.

Reporting Defence Related Absences

If you are a Defence member who will be posting away or deploying for a significant time, or if you are transitioning out of the ADF, could you please let me know.  This helps me and the college staff provide appropriate support for your child. 

Ripley Valley SSC Defence School Mentor: Tracey Cooper

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 0800 - 1430hrs

Email: tcoop203@eq.edu.au

Phone : 3819 5333