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GOROKE College year 11 students had a big task on Monday as they led the town’s Anzac Day service.
The service included a march down the town’s main street, wreath laying and readings of The Lord’s Prayer, the Anzac Requiem and To The Fallen.
Students Pheobe Allen and Abby Walter said it was their first year leading the service.
“We volunteered to run the service,” Pheobe said.
“We had been involved in Anzac Day as part of the advanced program at school, where we had to go to regular war memorial meetings.”
Pheobe said the the advanced program at Goroke College involved students training with the Victorian Police Army Corps for two years.
“At the end you get your bronze Duke of Edinburgh medal,” she said.
“Both Abby and I are now going for our silver medal.”
Abby said the same person had led the Anzac Day service for quite a few years.
“While they were happy doing it, they were also happy to hand it over,” she said.
“It was something we could do for the community.
“We had to attend several meetings this year and last year to get ready and writing the speech from scratch was pretty hard.
“Lucky we had had public speaking practice at school.”
Abby said the crowd at the service seemed to get bigger each year.
“It’s a good sign when you have to put out more chairs,” she said..
She said it was important young people were involved in the service.
“It is what keeps Anzac Day alive,” she said.
“It’s especially important for a small town like this.”
Goroke Leading Senior Constable Jim Richardson was involved in overseas service and wore his medals at the town’s Anzac Day service.
“I was deployed as a peace keeper in Timour,” he said.
“But for me, Anzac Day isn’t really about that, it’s about the kids and making sure they know the history.”