A very warm welcome to all our community members,

What a pleasure it is to be back at work for Term 2. I was delighted to see the students on Tuesday morning. I asked the question “did you see any of the staff during the holidays?” to which I discovered,

Mr Niddie spent some time at Mc Donalds,

Mrs Cooper played football,

Mrs Bear kept a low profile, and to my surprise..

apparently I had a hotdog in church. We all had a laugh and enjoyed the stories.

ANZAC DAY

At significant times in the year, there are stories that are shared on the internet, some claiming to be true, others that are true, others that are stories to help us make meaning of difficult situations.

The story of Captain Robert Ellicombe and his son is one story that has been shared and is currently being shared amongst returned service men and women. After searching the internet, the possibility that this story is not a historical recount became quite strong. Much like the stories we read in the bible. The bible is not a factual recount of the life and times of Jesus, it does however share a message of love and encourages us to live our lives in the same way.

And so I share this story with our community

in honor of the men and women who did not return from war,

in honor of the men and women who did return from war and

in honor of all families who have had and currently have service men and women,

may God’s Holy Spirit wrap them in love today, tomorrow and forever.

It all began in 1862 during the American Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing Virginia.  The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field.  Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. 

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock.  In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.  Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. 

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play Forces, a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler.  He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as 'The Last Post' used at military funerals was born.

Day is done. 
Gone the sun. 
From the lakes  
From the hills.   
From the sky. 
All is well.   
Safely rest.   
God is nigh. 

Fading light. 
Dims the sight. 
And a star. 
Gems the sky. 
Gleaming bright.   
From afar.   
Drawing nigh.   
Falls the night. 

Thanks and praise.   
For our days.   
Neath the sun   
Neath the stars.   
Neath the sky 
As we go. 
This we know.   
God is nigh

My Dad was conscripted into the Army, in 1965 his birth date determined that he was part of the Australian Army. There would be members of our community who remember that some men did not return from National Service. As well there would be members of our community who have been affected in one way or another by return service men and women. To these men and women, families and friends, God bless you and thank you. Please join our community on Sunday 25 April at the ANZAC Parade. Please meet at 10.30am at the Harden Post Office for a 10.45am start. 

WHO AM I?

Can you guess who this is?? Don't forget to put your entry in the box at the front desk.

MRS PERRYMAN’s HIGHLIGHT

I was speaking to Mrs Cooper on the playground and noticed a little poppet walking deliberately slowly passed both of us, I stopped our conversation to say “Hi Keeva, its lovely to see you, how are you?” Keeva was delightfully happy and could not stop smiling. She proceeded to smile and smile and smile.

Caz Perryman

Leader of “TEAM TRINITY”