13 May 2021
On the 21st April 2021, Kotara High Year 9 Drama class performed in the foyer of the Civic Theatre, Hunter Street, Newcastle prior to the main event on the Civic Theatre stage.
This annual ANZAC event begins with a half-hour narrative section that tells stories of local involvement, in theatres, of war or Peacekeeping Operations. A second half hour presents the traditional elements of an ANZAC service: Catafalque Party, Last Post, lowering and raising of flags and so on.
The event was presented by senior committee students who came together from Government, Catholic and Independent schools in Newcastle to develop the narrative and work with the other local drama students, musicians and singers to present the story of 104-year-old WW2 veteran, Alfred Clive Carpenter. Alf, who is still alive today and came onto the stage for a standing ovation, fought in every major theatre of war in WW2, fighting the Italians in the desert, Germans in Greece and Japanese in the Pacific.
Students from our own Year 9 Drama class performed vignettes based on aspects of Alf’s life twice (at 9.30 – 10.00am and 12.30 – 1.00 pm) as the audiences passed though the foyer. They then watched the main stage event.
“I liked learning about Alf’s life and what he did for our country.” Grace Ryan
“It was a great opportunity to see how a major production is formed and presented.” Matilda Marchant
“All in all, an awesome day.” Ava Martin
“The show itself was fascinating. It was interesting learning about Alf’s life in such a unique way.” Ruby, Jaime, Ellie, Jacynta.
