Children Bring Meaning To ANZAC Through School Colouring Initiative

Three students, Morgan, Charlotte and Oscar, took part in the colouring activity alongside Nigel Dalton and Georgia-Lee Ricketts. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara  

As ANZAC Day approaches, school students across the region are being invited to take part in a simple but meaningful commemorative initiative designed to help them reflect on service, sacrifice and national identity.

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the idea was created to help young people connect personally with ANZAC remembrance in a way that was accessible and reflective, rather than competitive.

“Anzac Day is such an important day in our calendar, but young people are going to be the people who carry it on into the future,” he said. “Engaging with the RSL with Anzac Day events are so important.”

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Dalton said the colouring-in activity was designed to encourage personal reflection rather than competition, with simple wreath templates being distributed to schools.

“I didn’t want it to be a competition. It’s something which is personal. It’s a commemoration of maybe a relative who didn’t come back, or maybe somebody who’s still with them,” he said.

“These simple wreaths are going to be given out to the schools. That means nobody has to go and buy anything… you just need a few texters to colour it in.”

He said the completed wreaths could then be used by students on ANZAC Day itself.

“On Anzac Day, if you’re in the parade, you can carry it, or you can just put it in your house, and remember why we have such a beautiful place to live in.”

Secretary of the Mackay Sub Branch RSL, Georgia-Lee Ricketts, said ANZAC Day remained a vital opportunity for young people to understand the sacrifices behind Australia’s freedoms.

“We’re very lucky to live in a country where young people can attend school and go about their daily lives with freedom,” she said. “We have to remember why we’re so lucky to be in this country.”

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“It’s because of those before us that fought those wars to make sure that Australia is a safe place to live in, and that’s why we come together on Anzac Day and we show our respects, both young and old.”

Mrs Ricketts said even simple activities such as colouring-in played an important role in education and remembrance.

“Whether you go to a dawn service or you colour in a picture, I think it’s just extremely important and beneficial to learn why we are so lucky to be Australians,” she said.

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“Young men and women went off and they died… some never came back to their families, so we must remember them, and always be grateful that we can live this beautiful life with our families now.”

Mrs Ricketts said the RSL would be visiting schools across the region in the lead-up to ANZAC Day to continue engaging students. The initiative also provided an opportunity for students to learn about the different branches of Australia’s Defence Force, with informal discussions helping to build early awareness and understanding.

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