I stood there before the
crosses
glowing white in row on row
Everyone a young life cut short
as the names upon them show
- Bill Mitton
Rose Bay High School student Jacoba Sayers was one of six students selected to travel to the Western Front in Europe in 2015 as a member of the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize.
Upon her return to Tasmania, Jacoba presented reports and shared stories about her travels which included the opportunity of attending the Dawn Service on Anzac Day at Villers-Bretonneux.
In addition to providing a very pensive and insightful reflection about her time on the Western Front and in France, Jacoba and her sister Kaea played a very moving flute duet.
Additionally, Jacoba was the guest speaker at the Rose Bay High School 2016 World War 1 Commemoration Tour group’s Christmas celebration. Because these students will be partaking in similar experiences as those of Jacoba in the following year, there was little wonder that her peers proved to be a very attentive and interested audience whilst she displayed and talked about the photos of her overseas highlights and significant occasions.
Jacoba’s public performances were indicative of her worth as an intelligent and committed recipient of the Frank MacDonald MM Memorial Prize and as a mature ambassador, not only of the award, but also Tasmania and Rose Bay High School.