Cairnlea Park Primary School marked Anzac Day with a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought at Gallipoli.
The school was selected to take part in the National Trust of Australia’s (Victoria) Gallipoli Oaks Project.
National Trust of Australia (Victoria) chief executive Simon Ambrose said the planting of a tree at the school stemmed from a young soldier’s journey.
“At the core of this project is the story of how a young Australian soldier, Captain Winter Cooke from Murndal, near Hamilton, noticed some unusual holly bushes while stationed at Gallipoli that had acorns like oak trees,” he said. “Captain Winter Cooke remembered that his Uncle Samuel in Hamilton was a bit of a tree enthusiast – someone that would be interested in these rare acorns – and so sent a package of acorns to him from Gallipoli.
“Schools will plant seedlings that are direct descendants of those acorns from Gallipoli.”
Following the ceremony, World War I memorabilia, organised by the Wartime Living History Association, was exhibited.
School community engagement and transition co-ordinator Natalie Roach said it was a unique way to honour our soldiers.
“To be one of a few schools to be selected to take part in this makes it really special,” she said. “It added an extra element to our traditional ceremony.”
