Macksville primary students draw to remember Nambucca Valley Nambucca Valley - popup ad Nambucca Valley News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 14, 2024 Macksville Public School students Lincon Retallack, Emmett Maloney, Finn Angel, Nathaniel Inman and Taylor Indice use chalk to draw and colour poppies. MACKSVILLE students have collaborated to produce a chalk masterpiece in commemoration of Remembrance Day. RSL NSW launched a primary school engagement activity known as ‘Draw to Remember’ in 2023. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Due to its popularity, RSL sub-Branches were invited to engage with schools and encourage them to participate in the activity for Remembrance Day 2024. Combining commemoration and education, ‘Draw to Remember’ enables young school students to learn from local veterans about the significance of Remembrance Day and express their learnings or personal connections to Australia’s military history through chalk art. “We consider it very important for the younger generation to understand the connection they have with the past and the service to the nation given by local men and women,” Macksville Primary School Deputy Principle Craig Northfield told News Of The Area. “We invited the Macksville RSL sub-Branch to speak to our Student Representative Council about the activity and they were very excited to get involved.” Students with a connection to those who have served in the nation’s armed services were invited to participate in the project. Names of ex-servicemen and women were included on the large mural drawn in chalk on the playground at Macksville Public School. Macksville RSL sub-Branch President Garry McKay enthralled students with his personal history of being conscripted through National Service to go to Vietnam, putting his career in banking on hold. Affiliate member of the Macksville RSL sub-Branch and a staff member at Macksville High School, Melissa Robertson, provided liaison between the local veterans group and the schools. “The intent of our involvement is not to glorify war in any way but rather to recognise service, particularly from those students who have a connection, often through a family link, to service during times of conflict,” added Melissa. “We also included some high school students as participants in the artwork as there is always significant interest in Remembrance Day among high school students.” The large artwork was only intended to last until rain washed the chalk from the ground, however the efforts of the students were able to be captured by drone photography thanks to Mr Northfield. By Mick BIRTLES Macksville High School students Brooklyn Stokes, Logan Longabard and Sam Malimad draw a huge Rising Sun badge. The finished ‘Draw to Remember’ artwork, drawn in chalk on the ground at Macksville Primary School. Photo: drone image by Craig Northfield. Macksville Public School students Zaylee Hall, Ruby-Lee Loveday and Olivia Flack draw a war medal.
