Members of Gracemere and District RSL Sub Branch visited Waraburra State School to make two presentations, the first of which was by Howard Jutila, who is also a member of Gracemere Mens’ Shed and on their behalf, presented to the deputy principal, Sue Thaw, a one-third scale model of the Gracemere RSL Cenotaph.
Howard impressed everyone with the facts behind the creation of this cleverly crafted modular unit that can be pulled apart into four segments for easy storage, including mathematical calculations involved (done digitally by Allan Long and confirmed manually by Howard), and attributing the carpentry to 83-year-old Dennis Summers who spent several days on its creation then painted by Howard.
The wreath detail was made by a 3D printer over 22 hours. Mrs Thaw was elated to receive this masterpiece being the realisation of her long term vision for a memorial at the school.
The second presentation was by Tony Harris, Deputy Vice-President of Gracemere RSL and ex-Afghanistan veteran who addressed the Year 6s as part of RSL Queensland’s initiative called Postcards of Honour, a creative Anzac Day learning and commemoration activity.
Tony spoke on a personal level about his own deployments overseas during his 39 years of service – Butterworth six times for three months at a time and Afghanistan in 2010 for six months – and his appreciation for mail and comfort packages from home and the differences and improvements in lengths of time and methods of sending and receiving mail between the 1970s to 2010.
Of course back in World Wars 1 and II and all ensuing battles and conflicts, the timings were much longer and news was often not received in a timely manner. Howard also spoke about his service.
The class appeared to be most receptive to this idea and teachers were provided with resources for the students to practice over the holidays and then final postcards will be collected in the week leading up to Anzac Day to be read by Veterans from the Gracemere RSL. Other participating schools so far are Westwood State School, St Paul’s Gracemere and Gracemere State School.
School children and as many Veterans as possible are encouraged to attend our Anzac Day Dawn March on Tuesday, 25 April (assembly in front of the shop in Lawrie Street, Gracemere no later than 4.10am) for marching up Lawrie Street then into John St to the Cenotaph in James St.
If unable to march, veterans can catch a ride in one of the Military vehicles leading the parade. The march will be followed by a dawn service and a Gunfire Breakfast after which there will be Crown and Anchor, Two Up and live entertainment, The Croc Creek Band.
For any enquiries about the Anzac Day activities, phone Tony Harris on 0400 962 514.
