Griffith East Primary School students are the latest local kids having their hard work recognised and published in as a feature in the Wednesday The Area News edition.
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We want to promote and celebrate creativity from our students in Griffith and across the region by offering a platform from which they can share their creations.
If you know of any schools and their students producing works that should be featured in The Area News print editions or online, let us know by contacting the editor Ben Jones at ben.jones@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
Changi Prison
Moved on 17th February 1942
The horrors of this place just grew and grew.
Where I was free to roam around,
Throughout the several P.O.W camps
Every camp was small,
`bout 25 kilometres squared.
Couple of months later,
They chose to construct a fence.
Stuck in Selarang Barracks,
Responsible for my own administration,
On the east end of Singapore,
Where most of us Australians were.
The men who kept us in,
Ordered a declaration to be signed,
Requesting that we would not attempt escape
We Australians refused, and then, we were all confined to Selarang.
After three horrid days,
A compromise was reached.
We were acting under duress,
And we were returned to our original areas
It was not something I liked,
But the Japanese made us do,
I guess it was just life in Changi.
Matilda Ross 6CM
The bombing of Darwin
BANG!! CRASH!!
It was the 19th of February, 1942. It was officially called the "Bombing of Darwin".
People were screaming and bombs were crashing into the ground, people were even packing their bags to move to a different country! Dogs were barking and cats were meowing, that is all you could hear (apart from the bombing sounds). Someone named Mary said that there was a lot more bombs were coming in 30 minutes or so!
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After everyone heard the news hardly anyone was in town ever since she said that. Another person named James said in a few seconds 54 land-based bombers are going to attack Darwin. In that few seconds the people that were left were praying that no one will get hurt.
BANG!!! POW!!!
Mary suddenly started screaming at everyone, to leave town immediately. But James didn't want that to happen so he started yelling back at her, but even louder! Everyone that was still in town were getting tired and sick and some were even dying! In the end more than 250 were killed and 300-400 were wounded.
Audrey Cornale 6CM
Landing at Gallipoli
My name is Charlie, and I was a farmer boy until I fought my life at war. I was helping my dad one morning when this weird man arrived on our porch. He declared I must go to Gallipoli to fight or I will be sent to jail for the rest of my life.
My mum came out and started to cry, but I made a promise and that promise was that I would not die. I was on the first boat, a part of the covering force. We set of to sea, having only a boat to sail in, a book to write in, and a pen. I sat at the back of the boat writing these long letters, getting my A-game together. We finally landed, we got out of the boat just as we realised... We got bogged.
The Turks had already arrived on the other side having an advantage against us. We had hills and giant mountains to climb, making it difficult to run up and down for safety. Just as my leader Sir Ian Hamilton blew his whistle, I lined up waiting to go over the hills, to get this over and done with. But unfortunately this went for days, weeks, even years; building trenches trying to survive the deadly nights and horrific days.
Watching those that died right in front of us. Hiding at nights, not moving, trying to sleep, writing letters to my parents, making sure I was 'O.K. ' We all decided it was final. It's finished, done. Four years of brutal fighting is surely enough.
We had 8709 of us Australians killed, but Turkey had 86,000 killed. I ventured home, it felt longer than going there. Fighting against the terrifying winds, and sailing with the swervy ocean, it was a heck of a ride. I finally made it to my home town, ecstatically excited to walk through that farm gate.
Shivering in the car, knowing I wouldn't have to worry about being attacked any more. I arrived home, parking outside of my house. I stepped through that gate and felt that safe shiver run down my spine. Mum and dad came sprinting out the front door screaming with joy, and I said to my mum... "Mum, I'm glad to be home."
A soft smile came out.
Ella Whittaker 6CM
Pearl Harbour: Jim’s point of view
Bang!
I was in agony, I couldn't stand the pain.
I lay there staring at the sky that was covered in a layer of thick smoke and dust.
I could barely keep my eyes open.
I couldn't hear the other men talking to me as I started to tune out and my eyes shut.
Pearl Harbour is located in Hawaii.
It was attacked on Sunday December 7, 1941 just before 8.00am by a Japanese air force.
"Tim, Tim!"
One of the men was talking.
It was like a blurry picture when trying to focus.
I struggled to get up as the pain was holding me back as if I was strapped to the ground with tape.
I didn't know who the soldier was but he helped me as I attempted to get up.
I looked at my arm that was strapped in a bandage.
"Come on" he said.
From that moment on he helped me through every painful minute of the fight.
My arm was gradually getting worse but I wouldn't give up.
From the beginning of the fight to now was like hell.
We have already lost hundreds of men and I can tell there will be many more losses to come.
Bob's point of view.
The sky was black and the air smelt like smoke.
Dust was flying everywhere.
Every explosion or gun fire made everything seem more real than it already was.
The Japanese attacked America because the USA had placed lots of sanctions and embargoes on Japan.
"Tim, Tim!" I said.
I worried badly trying to get him to wake up.
I could see that he was starting to come to.
I helped him up.
We stuck together during the attack.
We were best mates and we wouldn't give in.
Back to Tim.
"Bob, Bob!"
I was worried he wasn't waking up.
"Come on buddy, don't let me down."
I stepped away.
I t was over.
"I will never forget you."
The attack on Pearl Harbour lasted 110 minutes.
More than 2,400 were killed and over 1,000 were wounded.
The day after the attack happened President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress (composed of Senate and House of Representatives) to declare war on Japan.
Alani Stewart Griffith East Public School
The bombing of Darwin
February 19, 1942, the bombing of Darwin.
I can't even begin to explain how horrific that day was. But here I am retelling it to the curious. I guess it truly began when I opened up the door of our new apartment. My mum got a job here in Darwin. My sister's birthday was only a day away when we knew something was wrong.
My favourite pet (well, my only pet) Roxy the husky started barking on 18th. Frankly, we're not allowed pets in our apartment so we tried to hush her up. By we, I mean my family: Dad the sceptical, Mum the overprotective, Alice the over excited and then there's me, David the loud. Anyway, by 7.00pm that night the barking had stopped but Roxy then started scratching at the door.
Dad said dogs or animals in general always try to escape when storms or earthquakes were coming. "But Australia is on one whole tectonic plate" I said while dragging Roxy away from the door. "Well, let's just hope for the best and get some sleep" said mum turning off the lights. That night, my mind wondered into all sorts of trouble. Three times I woke up screaming for my sister to run from a non existent war.
I tried to calm myself down by checking Roxy was at the foot of Alice's bed. In a few hours it will be her birthday. Her first birthday in Darwin. I knew I should have been happy for her but I was still shivering. As you imagine, Alice woke us all up at 6.00am.
We spent most of the morning watching cartoons and eating pancakes. Everyone seemed happy even Roxy (she got a sausage for breakfast!). "What's that noise?" I said. We all went outside but were too late. Still, there was no mistaking the sound of a fast jet or plane flying very low. "I wonder where the airport"
BANG! The bomb had fallen far away but that didn't mean my whole body didn't shake. Every bone felt like ti was shattering into tiny pieces. Alice fell to the ground. I screamed, afraid she might never stand again.
All sorts of sounds filled my ears, mum's screams, dad's yells, Roxy's barking, buildings falling. After about 25 minutes everyone's panic seemed to have died down. The ground was still shaking though. "What's happening?" said Alice. She was cuddled up against me.
This would be her worst or last birthday ever. Sad. "It was a bomb" I answered. I explained to her what a bomb was. She seemed very interested in bombs which scared me a bit.
Then the real bomb came. Unfortunately, the bomb was a lot closer than the last. Everything happened in slow mo. It was as if gravity had suddenly turned off.
For a second we were all in midair, just floating like ghosts then we fell. Lost forever never to be seen again. But tragedy never goes unforgotten. So I call to all survivors of the bombing of Darwin to hep what's left of me and my family.
Tahlia Scully
Why we should march on Anzac Day …
Most people believe, that we should march on ANZAC Day.
I absolutely agree!
We should march on ANZAC Day, we march for the people that have died, we march to remember the people that went to war and we march for the people that can't be with us.
To begin with, we march for the people that have died because it is good to show respect.
The soldiers fought in the war and gave up their lives for us to have a happy and safe life. We march because will never forget the soldiers and their sacrifice.
Also, we march to remember the people that went to war because they can't be with us.
We march and keep all the memories of the soldiers alive.
The memories need to stay alive because the memories are important to people.
Finally, we march for the people that can't be with us.
Because on ANZAC Day it is all about remembering the soldiers and how they gave us a happy and safe life so march for your happy life.
This clearly shown, that we should march on ANZAC Day because we march for the people that have died, we march to remember the people that went to war and also we march for the people that can't be with.
So make sure you march this year.
Charlize Dunbar.
I strongly agree we should march on Anzac day!
The main reason is, to show respect to the men and women that have fallen for our country.
A second reason is, it's a way to be evolved.
My final reason is, it's to say thank you to the men and women that have helped us live and have freedom.
The main reason is, to show respect to those that have died for our country.
It's also to show respect to those that are currently serving right now.
Furthermore, we march on Anzac Day to be involved. It's important to keep the memory alive and the tradition alive as well.
I really want you, to get off your lounge and go march now!
My final reason is, to say thank you to those that have helped us live and have freedom! If you like freedom get off your butt and march now.
You can see, I strongly believe you should march on ANZAC Day to show respect to those that have fallen for our country, it's a way to be involved and to say thank you to those that have helped us live and have freedom so march on the 25th of April now!
By Mekhi
Pretty please, go march!
Should we march on Anzac Day?
I absolutely agree, we should march on Anzac Day!
We march to show respect to others.
To remember those who were in the war and to show respect to those who died to save our country and give us freedom!
Above all, I absolutely agree that we should march on Anzac Day because you're showing respect to others that have fallen.
I mean who wouldn't march on Anzac Day?
I remember them because they gave their lives up just too save our country and to give us freedom.
Additionally, I believe that it's important that we should march on Anzac Day because, you would absolutely love it if you get up off your lounge and go and march to remember those who were in the war.
So pretty please go and march!
I would like to see people clapping or marching for those that have fallen.
Last of all, I think that we should get off our butts and march for those who can't march with us today.
It's good to show respect for those who died to save our country and have given us freedom.
In the end it's clear to see that I believe that we should be marching every year on Anzac Day.
So, get up off your butt and get marching!
Samantha Simpson
We should be marching, out of respect
I definitely agree!
We must march on Anzac Day.
It is respectful.
It's good to march for those who can't.
How would u feel if you sacrificed your life and no one marched for you?
That is why we must march this Anzac Day help support those who helped make Australia a free country.
So, this Anzac Day do yourself a favour and march for the people who sacrificed their lives for you!
Isaiah Peebles
Sad for loss, but happy to remember
I absolutely agree, we should march!
We march to respect the soldiers we march to remember those who died and we march for the people who can't be with us today.
First of all, we march to respect.
We are showing respect to soldiers who died for us.
It is important to show respect because they gave up their lives for us to live happily.
Also, we march to remember those who died.
It is important to march for those who can't march.
Can you march?
I can and I will.
Last of all, we march on Anzac Day, for those who can't march with us.
I feel sad my great great pop died but on Anzac Day I feel happy to remember him and his sacrifice.
Do you want to be happy on Anzac Day?
Therefore, it is obvious to see that I believe you should march on Anzac Day.
We march to respect those who died.
So, march on 25th April this year!
Karl Francis Williams.
Sixth-generation Anzac agrees we need to keep up tradition
My great great great Grandfather recommends you should march on Anzac Day.
We all should.
I absolutely agree!
Firstly to remember, soldiers that had fallen, secondly to show respect and to represent families for the loss of family members.
Above all, we march on Anzac Day to remember the soldiers that have fallen we remember them because they risked their lives for our freedom.
We march so the men are not forgotten.
We march so there isn't another world war and the sadness from it.
Furthermore, we march on Anzac Day to show respect to family members that have been in the war.
It's impotent to remember them to keep the traditions in our community and in our hearts!
Last of all, we march on Anzac Day to represent families for the loss of family member.
I'm going to were my school uniform with pride for you if you lost a loved one like me.
Did you lose a family member you loved and still do?
This clearly shows I believe, that everyone should march on Anzac Day.
Did the soldiers sleep-in every day?
I don't think so!
We even represent the people the community lost.
Less we forget!
To remember soldiers that have fallen, to show respect and to represent family's for the loss of family members.
You need to get up and march on Anzac Day!
Summer Reynolds.