A Legacy of Remembrance: 94 Years of ANZAC Commemoration for Students

In the 1920s, the families of veterans were not permitted to attend ANZAC ceremonies as these were seen as a sacred time and place for veterans only. To ensure families remained involved, members of Legacy, known as Legatees, began voluntarily visiting schools to speak with students about the First World War and the sacrifices made by Australian service personnel. 

These visits aimed to ensure that the memory of those who served would remain alive in the minds of the next generation. As the number of schools and students grew, it became clear that a larger, unified event would better serve this purpose. 

In 1931, a dedicated ANZAC commemoration ceremony specifically for students was established. It was the first ceremony of its kind in the Commonwealth, created solely to educate young people about the meaning of ANZAC Day and the cost of war.

What began as a practical response to growing demand soon became an annual tradition. 

Throughout the 1930s and beyond, the ceremony adapted to ensure it reached as many students as possible. In its early years, it was broadcast on radio so that regional schools could participate remotely. For many years it was also televised on the ABC, extending its reach across Victoria. These broadcasts reflected both the scale of interest in the event and its recognised importance within the education sector. 

The ceremony has also maintained strong connections to public life and civic leadership. Since 1955, the Governor of Victoria has been a Patron of Legacy, the serving Governor attends and participates in the ceremony. Over the decades, the event has been supported by Victorian governments, veterans’ organisations and education authorities, reinforcing its place within the state’s commemorative calendar. 

Distinct traditions have developed across generations. The involvement of the Melbourne High School Band and the MacRobertson Girls’ High School choir dates back almost to the event’s inception, creating a sense of continuity between past and present students. The laying of wreaths at the Eternal Flame, student addresses, and ceremonial elements such as a flypast by the RAAF have become enduring features of the program. 

Now approaching a century of observance, Melbourne Legacy’s ANZAC Commemoration for Students stands as a testament to the enduring importance of remembrance in Victoria. Its history reflects not only the evolution of a ceremony, but the sustained effort to ensure that each generation understands and honours the sacrifice of those who served.  

Melbourne Legacy warmly invites all schools in Victoria to attend this special day of remembrance and commemoration.  Read more about the day and secure your spot below.