Feature on Community Service

STUDENTS SHOW RESPECT FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES

Earlier this year, a group of students led by Vice-Captain Lochlan Medd, continued the student-led initiative of designing Word Shirts that highlight key aspects important to student life at Canberra Grammar School.

Lochlan said ‘in light of this year’s catastrophic bushfires, we thought that a Word Shirt initiative focusing on respect would be appropriate to raise awareness and funds for those who were affected’. The funds raised will be donated towards a variety of charities this year with a focus on assisting those within the School community and Canberra and surrounding regions.

The Word Shirt initiative was started in 2019 by Vice-Captain and now alumnus Freddie Klein.

‘The initiative was particularly important this year as we felt it served as a reminder and tribute to those who fought the bushfires and those affected and as a token of our respect for those who have endured through a crisis that will have a long-lasting impact’ he said. ‘Initiatives such as the Word Shirts are important to life at CGS, and they bring together the School community for a single cause. We hope that the Shirts had a meaningful impact and are worn at future events and School functions’ Lochlan continued.

STUDENTS RUN TO CLOSE THE GAP

In February, a group of CGS Indigenous students—Creed Dann (Year 10), Michael Browne (Year 8), Kye Moggridge (Year 10), Trae Bashford (Year 10), and Joel Gould (Year 11)—were invited to the early morning annual Close the Gap Fun Run and Walk. The fun run, which saw 200 runners enter, commenced at Reconciliation Place.

The Close the Gap Fun Run and Walk is an initiative by Rob de Castella and the Indigenous Marathon Foundation which inspires communities to take up running not just for exercise but also to connect and share stories in a supportive environment. Such healthy lifestyle programmes are vital in the efforts to bridge the substantial gap in health, education, and employment between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

AN ANZAC DAY DONE DIFFERENTLY

Term 2 began with a moment of reflection to acknowledge the ANZACs. As The Last Post, performed by Year 11 trumpeter AJ Fraser, echoed throughout an empty Tim Murray Theatre, the strangeness of participating in a service in isolation, to remember those who sacrificed so much was felt by all.

During the service, men whose names are recorded on the School’s Honour Board were remembered, as were the men and women and families and friends whose lives were never the same. CGS parent Colonel Craig Bickell from Army Headquarters spoke of how differently we have honoured the ANZACs this year; no community memorials or ceremonies, no marches, no gathering of friends, no gathering of veterans and yet, amidst the current challenges faced, our community has developed a new way to acknowledge their sacrifice of giving something up for the good of others. He commented that this sacrifice costs something, just as it cost the ANZACs who sacrificed their physical and mental health, their futures, their families, and ultimately their lives. Colonel Bickell asked the audience to remember some of the attributes and qualities of the ANZACs when determining how we should respond to the current situation. The ANZACs demonstrated candour, resourcefulness, devotion, curiosity, independence, comradeship, patriotism, chivalry, loyalty, coolness, control, audacity with their bold and creative solutions, endurance, and efficient decision-making. Sometimes the ANZACs fell short, as do many, and it can feel all too overwhelming. When burdened by responsibility and feeling overwhelmed, Colonel Bickell urged to ‘leave it at the foot of the cross.’ When weary and burdened with troubles, turn to faith for strength.

Thank you to all those who helped the School community commemorate Anzac Day 2020.

DISPLAYING SOLIDARITY

‘I’ve decided to partake in the World’s Greatest Shave to be apart of something to take our minds off what is happening around the world now. 2020 seemingly hasn’t given us a moment to catch our breath so far, and this might serve as a much-needed break from the outside world, even if momentary. The fires and COVID-19 have also taken a significant amount of attention away from much-needed charities, such as the Leukemia Foundation. Being able to do something fun while supporting a worthy cause, that needs it more than ever, is not just desirable, but ultimately necessary.’

GAUTAM MISHRA

‘Every year I have watched six or so brave Eddison students in Year 12 go up and shave their heads in front of the School until now I haven’t realised just how big of an ask this is. I have been tossing and turning over the decision about whether to nominate since the announcement, but now after weighing up the factors have realised my (already quite short) hair, is not much compared to fighting cancer. After watching cancer affect the lives of my grandparents, I can see that going and shaving my head is a small but significant role to play. It shows cancer patients they don’t have to fight this alone, and that we are there supporting them every step of the way. As such I am very excited to be participating in the World’s Greatest Shave experience this year.’

NIC ALLNUT

Each year, Canberra Grammar School Year 12 students participate in the Leukaemia Foundation’s World’s Greatest Shave. This year, despite having to complete the shave at home, students felt that it was more important than ever to support those in need and to display solidarity. With a more difficult remote head shave this year, the students set a more conservative goal than the previous years. However, with community support in abundance, the students raised over $24,000.

The School’s editorial team spoke to some of the Year 12 students participating in this year’s World’s Greatest Shave and asked them why the event was important to them.

‘I have decided to shave my head in support of the Leukaemia Foundation as it is a fantastic opportunity to raise money and funds for such an important cause. Cancer of all types affects so many people around the world, and without a doubt, everyone knows someone or knows someone who knows someone that has experienced a battle with cancer. I love my hair, but so do others that don’t have a choice as to whether they lose it or not. For me it is something small to give up in my life to try and help others and rather than just cutting and donating my hair, I want to do everything I can to help by shaving my head. Recently, I feel like I have lost sight of what is important and with everything that is going on in the world I want to do the best I can to use opportunities I have to help make life a bit better for others. We are privileged with our choices which is why I think it is so important that we make the right ones. This action is for everyone I know that has battled cancer and for all their families and friends so that they know they have support.’

BEC MAYER

‘The reason I am shaving my head is that leukaemia is one of the biggest killers in Australia and one Australian is diagnosed every 41 minutes. Raising awareness about this helps exponentially to those finding a cure and most importantly those struggling with leukaemia.’

WILLIAM PETERSWALD

‘Choosing to shave your head is about showing solidarity with those who do not have the choice. We can lose our hair, knowing it will grow back, but this gesture shows people that their hair does not define them and that we are with them.’

FRED TAYLOR

‘I have been lucky enough to live a happy and healthy life. I think of this as a way to help raise awareness and money for those families who have suffered as a result of this disease.’

KOH DEWAR

‘Each day 41 people in Australia are diagnosed with a form of blood cancer. I chose to take part in the World’s Greatest Shave to raise awareness and donations for the Leukemia Foundation which provides both support and services for those suffering from blood-related illnesses.’