The community of St Joseph’s College Lochinvar assembled in MacKillop Hall on the eve of ANZAC
Day to commemorate the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign. Year 9 History students
prepared and conducted the very moving ceremony.
Women in Service, the national theme for this year’s commemoration honoured the role women
play today in our Defence Forces and have played in wartime. The theme honours the
contribution, skills and courage of all women service personnel.
It was appropriate, therefore to invite a woman in service to address the assembly. Commodore
Allison Norris (née Horder) of the Royal Australian Navy, an ex-student of the College accepted the
invitation to speak about her life and service.
In introducing Commodore Norris, Mr Peter Antcliff, College Principal noted her accomplishments:
deployments in the Middle East and East Timor, Commander of HMAS Melbourne and HMAS
Supply, On Scene Commander during the treacherous operation searching for the missing
Malaysian Airlines Flight MH 370 in the Southern Indian Ocean and an appointment with the
United States Navy. Most recently, she was the head of the Nuclear Powered Submarine Delivery
team in London. He also said that in 2015 she was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the
Queen’s Birthday Honour List for her command of HMAS Success.
Commodore Norris spoke of the hard work and determination needed to succeed in the defence
services as in any walk-of-life. She drew attention to Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the newly
appointed Chief of Army as being the first woman to hold the position. She encouraged students
to take the opportunities that came their way to learn, to grow and contribute to society.
The commemoration began with the setting up of the Sacred Space where students and staff
processed to place the significant symbols of Bible, cross, service medals, rosemary, slouch hat and
flags. Two Air Force cadets took up their positions at the flagpole and remained there for the
duration of the ceremony.
A Liturgy of the Word followed with a reading from the Gospel according to John, emphasising
Jesus’ words: I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (10:11)
The ceremony ended with the reciting of The Ode, the traditional sounding of the Last Post, the
One Minutes Silence and the National Anthem.
Lest we forget
Sr Maureen Salmon rsj