Creation

To act as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices and commitment of service men and women it was decided to create a War memorial and Peace Park within the grounds of the Ballajura Community College.

A key feature of the Ballajura Memorial Peace Park is that it is a significant community resource and one that enables the community to reinforce its values of citizenship and endeavour.

The project was developed as a partnership actively involving the WA State and Federal Governments, the City of Swan, the RSL Association of WA, Ballajura Community College and the wider community. The project brought together many local organisations such as the Scouts, District Cadet Units, RSL, Legacy, Senior Citizens and Veterans groups, who all offered their support for it.

The Ballajura Memorial Peace Park was officially opened on Wednesday 3rd May 2006 with a moving dedication ceremony.

Dawn Service

A dawn service is conducted on ANZAC Day in the Ballajura War Memorial and Peace Park annually. This is in addition to the College’s own service. The dawn service regularly attracts over 2000 community members. Students from the College’s Police Ranger Unit play a significant role in the ceremony which received praise for its solemnity.

Wall of Remembrance

The College has initiated a program in 2008 to coincide with its ANZAC commemoration to honour those who have served in the armed forces in any theatre of War. Stainless steel tags are inscribed with each individual’s service details and mounted on the wall for students to review and appreciate. This then becomes a permanent reminder for all of the service of others in defence of their community.

ANZAC Ribbons project

In 2008, the ANZAC Ribbons project began as a vision by artist in residence Gregory White, supported by the RSL and the Central Institute of Technology.

A number of senior history students worked collaboratively with the artist to determine a focus and vision for the ribbons. Students worked in their own time during lunch breaks and at home to research biographies of service men and women from the local community. Students interviewed family members and veterans, researched online databases and searched old newspapers to gather information. The Ballajura Sub-branch of the RSL, with approximately 65 members, most of them Vietnam veterans, was a rich source of information and support.

Once the research was completed, three digital design students, with the help of their teacher, spent many hours preparing a digital copy of the information ready for it to be cast in glass in Melbourne. A plaque commemorating the unveiling event on 30 April 2009 by the Minister for Education following the College’s ANZAC service, and the names of students and staff who contributed to the project can be found with the ribbons.

The four ribbons of glass represent the campaign ribbons of servicemen from four major conflicts, the First World War, the Second World War and the Vietnam and East Timor conflicts. Stories and photographs are embedded in the panels. Also included is information about a former student who died on active service in the Solomon Islands.

“We have all contributed to the ANZAC Ribbons and they all mean something different to each of us. My grandfather, Clifford William Pendegrast, fought in Borneo in the 2/43rd Battalion. These ribbons to me mean that I have now officially attained something that I was looking for. I never met him, so I have always thought I had to be my best for him to be proud of me. The ribbons represent a stage in my life for me to be proud of myself and to do it with, and about, my grandfather was a blessing” – Sarah Pendegrast, Year 11.

The ANZAC Ribbons project won Ballajura Community College the National and Western Australian State award in the secondary school category in the 2009 ANZAC Day Schools’ Awards.