Year 9 History Excursion

On Wednesday the 5th of March, 9HIS1 and 9HIS3, with Mr. Galvin and Miss. Fisher, went on an excursion to the Hyde Park Anzac Memorial to enrich our learning in the History unit on Australians at War: World War 1.

To begin the day at the memorial, we discussed the causes of World War 1, before watching an engaging monologue about a soldier’s life on the Eastern Front. Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman, performed by a talented member of the memorial staff, captured our hearts through the passion of the performance, providing an insight into the horrific experiences of soldiers in the war. The fictional character of Frank was used to represent the widespread journey of a soldier, beginning with societal pressures to enlist, training, entering the battlefield and the trauma once they return home.

The cohort was then given a tour of the memorial to learn about the Hall of Silence, the Hall of Memory, the Hall of Service and the exterior of the building.

The cohort then watched a one-woman performance weaving together the stories of three women in the medical corps from original sources, contrasting experiences of women in the Great War with those of the men. The tour continued into the museum, where we viewed displays of weapons, uniforms and dioramas and further investigated the medical corps through observation of their tools and medicine.

This excursion was an enlightening opportunity, providing insight into the lives of soldiers and nurses who served in the war, along with their families, which complements our current history unit. Overall, it served as a reminder of the horrific nature of war and demonstrated the impact of WWI on the world today.

– Evie Cairns and Michelle Cam, Year 9