Pupils connect with past

TE AWAMUTU INTERMEDIATE head students Stacey Caldwell and Ariana Cable-Dixon immerse themselves in the Anzac display in the school library. 110061AD

By Cathy Asplin

New Te Awamutu Intermediate head students Stacey Caldwell and Ariana Cable-Dixon will be laying a wreath at the local Anzac Day service this year.

But it’s quite likely there will be many more Te Awamutu Intermediate students there to support them, following an inspirational display of military memorabilia staged in the school library.

Librarian Gayelene Baker says the display, along with a number of new library books featuring wartime experiences, has certainly raised the awareness of next week’s Anzac Day within the school.

“It’s made Anzac Day a little more relevant for the students and many of them have been fascinated by the old photographs and wartime articles.”

Amongst the display were medals, uniforms, plaques, shoes, water bottles, newspapers and even a hammock.

Several conflicts were represented - from World War I to Vietnam - while the latest New Zealand contingent heading overseas to Afghanistan is also represented. One of those men, Andrew McAlley of Te Awamutu, provided many of the pieces in the display from his private collection. RSA members Murray Gouk and Alistair Kerr also helped with items. Mr Kerr says he simply ‘put the word out’ at the Te Awamutu RSA and several items arrived that were suitable for the display.