A lesson in remembering those who have fallen

By Owen Sinclair

Apr 25, 2025

Families of the four fallen soldiers gathered beside the Cobram Secondary College’s commemorative gardens with ADF personnel and student leaders. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Whether from Sydney, Melbourne or here in Cobram, everyone was at home when Cobram Secondary College held its annual Anzac Day service.

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The event drew students and staff from primary schools across the district, from Cobram as well as Strathmerton, while organisations such as Victoria Police, the SES, the CFA and Cobram-Barooga RSL sub-branch were represented.

The proud history of the Anzacs came to the fore as noon approached and the crowd of guests found their seats on the lawn of the school grounds.

Dignitaries such as Moira Shire Council chief executive Matthew Morgan were also joined by the families of the four fallen soldiers after whom the college’s four sports houses are named: Flt Sgt H.R. Shadforth, Pte K.L. Rose, Cpl G.J.P. Goodman and Gnr R.I. Jordan.

Principal Kimberley Tempest said she was absolutely thrilled by the support shown by the community.

“We have the Pipe Band, who come from far and wide; we had the pilots who come — there’s no fee, this is all volunteered; we have all the community organisations who come,” she said.

“And of course the ADF, who have now sent maybe 13 to 15 ADF personnel. They have been here since 8am this morning, and have been so generous with their time, with their knowledge, and are great with the kids.

“I want the students to see that this is what being Australian is. This is what it means to be in our community.

“I think that’s part of what we need to do at schools. We need to shape the culture that we want to see and that we want continued.”

Student leaders from schools across the district laid poppies as a show of respect. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Emceed by college captains Kiara Stephens and Mia Nye, the ceremony gained added poignancy when the families of the four soldiers rose to lay a poppy in the college’s commemorative gardens, which holds in plaques the perpetual memory of the four soldiers’ lives.

Indian Army surgeon Captain Prasanth V, ACW Taylor Winen, Captain Chloe Witts, college captains Mia Nye and Kiara Stephens, and Major Liz Daly. Photo by Owen Sinclair

Held the day before Friday, April 25 to allow students and staff the opportunity to attend services around the district, the sombre occasion gave the student body an insight into the importance of remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

College captain Kiara Stephens shared the role of emcee with fellow captain Mia Nye. Photo by Owen Sinclair

While some guests had their heartstrings yanked, others found themselves inspired by seeing the young leaders present.

Among the latter was Commodore Ash Papp, who took the chance to return to his alma mater from his home in Canberra.

Based at the navy headquarters in the nation’s capital, Commodore Papp is now tasked with procurement for the Australian Navy.

“Anzac Day is emotional for a lot of people, particularly those of us who have served, and those who are family of those who serve,” he said.

“We cannot do what we do without family. And so to come here to a small but strong community, to see the heritage coming out here — the students are invested, the staff are invested, and the community has come together — that is humbling, and it is inspiring.

Commodore Ash Papp with Cobram Secondary College’s student leadership. Credit: Anne-Marie Hindle. Photo by Contributed

“I think that’s probably what Anzac Day means to me. You can look back, sure. But then from looking back, look forward. That for me is what I get when I come to be inspired by communities like this.”