According to the Australian War Memorial (http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/forging/identity/anzac_day.asp):
ANZAC Day was first marked on 25 April 1916, the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli the year before. Many came to see the annual commemoration of this, the nation’s baptism of fire, as Australia’s national day. By the late 1920s all states had made ANZAC Day a public holiday.
Petrie State School, in modern times, is proud to humbly present their special commemoration of ANZAC Day. The morning parade, led by the student councillors, with special guests from the Returned Services League (RSL) and other community members involved with the school, honour bravery and sacrifice with stories, speeches and a serious air of remembrance.
1991 – “Warrant Officer Kam and army Cadets present at ANZAC Parade.”
David Stephenson, 1999 – Principal, 1 Jan 1991 – 2007
Source: Commemorating 125 Years of Service: Petrie State School 1874-1999, pp50-53.
Now held in the school hall, the ANZAC day parade was once held in the ‘drop-off-zone’ in front of the flag poles on the hot bitumen. Wreaths were also laid at the base of the flag and often a lone brave trumpet student (or occasionally a local musical volunteer) would sound The Last Post, children would bring flowers of their own to lay in honour.
On the ANZAC day public holiday, students are encouraged to congregate in school uniform at Anzac Avenue in Kallangur for the Pine Rivers Anzac Day march which starts near the library and finishes at the North Leagues Club, RSL. The students gather behind the school banner alongside their peers from other district schools and walk the distance with returned service members (sometimes in vintage cars), and other community organisations.
There have been known to be fly-overs from loud, booming army planes as well as vintage aircraft. Bands playing marching tunes with drummers drumming and treats for the participating children at the end.
(Image Courtesy Kathleen Cameron, Copyright 2013)
WAR TIMES IN NORTH PINE/PETRIE
From the Boer Wars in South Africa during 1880–1881 and 1899–1902 until the great World War I (1914-1918), Australia had become accustomed to sending their young men to fight for England to secure the interests of the colonial nations. Citizens were sympathising with the soldiers and affected communities by actively raising monetary assistance for such funds as the ‘Patriotic Fund’ of 1900.
North Pine was no exception and being far from a large city, felt the losses and sensed the victories closely and keenly as a tight knit collective.
To read more about the wars as an important topic and its remembrance in the North Pine/Petrie community, see IMPORTANT TOPICS OF THE TIMES.
‘The Brisbane Courier’ published an article in 1931 describing the ANZAC Day formalities, conducted by returned soldiers, “A wreath from the children of North Pine State School was placed on the altar by Master W Foley.”
28 April 1931 (Tuesday)
COUNTRY CENTRES
The residents of the Pine Rivers district attended in larger numbers than in previous years at the School of Arts to commemorate Anzac Day. The service was conducted throughout by returned soldiers. Mr W Foley occupied the chair, and the resolutions were moved by Captain R J Webster, supported by Mr R Allsopp, and Mr R J Warren, M.L.A., seconded by Mr R Monroe. At 9 pm the gathering observed one minute’s silence, and Mrs E Buckley played the “Dead March”. A collection in aid of distressed Diggers’ fund realised 4 pounds/7/5. A wreath from the children of North Pine State School was placed on the altar by Master W Foley.
Source: 1931 ‘COUNTRY CENTRES.’, The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), 28 April, p. 14, viewed 14 December, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21691304
Generation after generation pass along these memories of courage and bravery. School children are taught and reminded yearly, often by their much older peers, that war is not to be glorified, but rather mourned and remembered for its lessons.
2012: ANZAC DAY SERVICES
“I was honoured to attend two ANZAC 
Day ceremonies involving our school community this week. Thank you to the many students and staff who marched with Mrs Greenland and me under the PSS banner on Wednesday. I appreciate the support from the Mums and Dads who coordinated home schedules so their children could observe this significant day.
I also thank Mr Weertman and Miss Rose for their preparation of our school ceremony on Tuesday. Congratulations to all students who played an individual or group role in the ceremony. I thought they all did a magnificent job. Our special guest, Mr Williams, said the ceremony made him feel extremely proud; it was truly a special occasion.” – Kerry Lofgren, Principal, Jan 2011 – June 2013
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 06/12, 26 April 2012, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
“On Tuesday, we held our Anzac Ceremony at school. As always, 
this was a very special ceremony, and all our students showed great respect. I was extremely proud of our school captains who very competently ran the ceremony and cared for our special guests. A number of students also joined us for the Anzac Day march at Kallangur. Thank you to the parents of those students involved for their support, and to the students for the way they represented their school.” – Linley Greenland, Deputy Principal
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 06/12, 26 April 2012, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
2013: ANZAC DAY MARCH – KALLANGUR
“There have been a couple of minor changes to the organisation this year. We will line up on the road, rather than the car park. All Pine Rivers schools will march together with PRSHS to hold the banner up front and schools to line up behind in school groups with their own school banners. Parents will not be able to march with their children, but are invited to march as a group of parents, following all the state schools. More specific information will be sent home after the holidays.” – Kerry Lofgren, Principal, Jan 2011 – June 2013
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 05/13, 27 March 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
Petrie State School Captains placed a
wreath at the Pine Rivers Memorial Service
2013: PINE RIVERS MEMORIAL SERVICE AND SCHOOL CEREMONY
“I was honoured to attend two ANZAC Day ceremonies involving our school community recently. Thank you to the more than 60 students and staff who marched with Mrs Greenland and me under the PSS banner last Thursday. I appreciate the support from the Mums and Dads who coordinated home schedules so their children could observe this significant day.
I also thank Mr Weertman and Miss Rose for their preparation of our school ceremony last Wednesday. Congratulations to all of students who played an individual or group role in the ceremony. I thought they all did a magnificent job.” – Kerry Lofgren, Principal, Jan 2011 – June 2013
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 06/13, 02 May 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
“On Wednesday last week, we held our Anzac Ceremony at school. As always, this was a very special ceremony, and all our students showed great respect. I was extremely proud of our school captains who very competently ran the ceremony. A large number of students also joined us for the Anzac Day march at Kallangur on Thursday. Thank you to the parents of those students involved for their support, and to the students for the way they represented their school.” – Linley Greenland, Deputy Principal
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 06/13, 02 May 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014
2013: ANZAC DAY AWARDS
“[Petrie] students were awarded a beautiful certificate and prize for their efforts in the RSL Pine Rivers District Rewards for your Thoughts essay writing competition (300 words). The topic was ‘Is the spirit of the Anzacs alive in our community today and what the Anzac spirit means to you?’
[A] Year 7 PSS student from 2012 received two awards and a $200.00 cash prize. I was very proud to be at the awards ceremony to see students, past and present involved in such a special event.” – Kerry Lofgren, Principal, Jan 2011 – June 2013
Source: ‘Petrie Log’ Newsletter, 07/13, 15 May 2013, Petrie State School, http://www.petriess.eq.edu.au, Accessed 16 September 2014