From the Principal – Issue #18, 2025
Acknowledgement of Country
From the Principal – Issue #18, 2025
Principal
Newsletter Editorial Week 4 Term 4
As we prepare to commemorate Remembrance Day next Tuesday, I share below two reflections that provide insight into the relationship between St Aloysius College and the family and friends of the 2/43rd Battalion. The first is a speech given by Simon Kelly, who coordinates a ceremony at the Walk of Remembrance each year to commemorate the Battle of El Alamein. Following Simon’s speech is a reflection written by Year 12 College Captains for 2026, Yenuli and Liliana. In a world that desperately prays for peace, the words below provide a message of hope in a troubled world.
Our 2026 Executive Leaders gathered to honour the courage and sacrifice of members of the 2/43rd at El Alamein
El Alamein Commemorative Speech 2025: Simon Kelly
In acknowledging the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains as the traditional custodians of this land, we also acknowledge the significance of the Torrens Historical Precinct and all the memories and memorials it holds.
We are, indeed, on hallowed ground.
Not far from this place in Victoria Square is St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, where the colours of the 43rd and 2/43rd Battalions are laid up.
A few doors away from the Cathedral, on Wakefield Street, is St Aloysius College, to which the 2/43rd Memorial Crosses and Regimental Banner were entrusted in perpetuity, the Crosses in late November 2012 and the Banner in March of 2021.
I would especially like to welcome the SAC 2026 Year 12 Student Executive-elect who will participate in our commemoration this morning.
Welcome to College Captains: Liliana & Yenuli; Social Justice Leaders: Teah & Daisy; and Executive Committee Members: Gislene, Alessia, Adele & Holly accompanied by their Principal, Paddy McEvoy and Deputy Principal, Jacqui Mcilroy.
On 23 October 1942, the decisive Second Battle of El Alamein began, in which the Australian 9th Division played a pivotal role by spearheading the assault. They drew Rommel’s best units to face them and allowed the British to eventually break through on the southern flank and finally throw the enemy back in disarray.
In 1967, on the 25th anniversary of the battle, General Montgomery, Commander of the Eighth Army in Egypt, visited the Australian graves at the El Alamein cemetery. The following evening, he told a friend: “The more I think back, the more I realise that winning was only made possible by the bravery of the 9th Australian Division in holding the road against counter-attacks and slowly pushing forward despite increasing casualties. I do not know of any [other] Allied Division who could have done it.”
Today, we gather
- to honour and commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who fought in that battle,
- to pay tribute to those who did not return,
- and to remember those who have since passed – all whose memory we hold dear.
Today, we especially remember the men of the 2/43rd and 2/48th Battalions.
Our opening reading, adapted from Ecclesiasticus and delivered by Gislene, spoke of men “whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten” and whose “name lives on generation after generation.”
Apart from their participation in this El Alamein Commemoration, students from St Aloysius have placed the Memorial Crosses on the Field of Honour before Remembrance Day each year since 2012, attended the ceremony on North Terrace and placed tributes in memory of the 2/43rd Battalion.
Ten years ago, in 2015, at the end of the Remembrance Day ceremony, sometime after the named dignitaries had placed their tributes, schools and others were invited to come forward with theirs.
Two Year 9 students, distinguished by their SAC uniforms, approached the Memorial reverently. A quiet descended on the gathering. Two students, one presumably Christian and one, in her hijab, presumably of the Islamic faith, reminded all of us there through their silent tribute, of the type of world for which our forefathers were fighting.
A world at peace, where human dignity is paramount and differences are respected. A world where courage, service, justice and respect are the guiding values, and where the Common Good flourishes.
- So, today we commemorate a great but costly battle which proved a turning point in the war,
- we honour the men who served in it,
- we call to mind those from the 2/43rd and 2/48th, represented here by their families, friends, and loved ones,
- and we promise that we will never forget their service and sacrifice.
A Decade Ago – 2015 Remembrance Day
El Alamein Reflection 2025: Yenuli and Liliana
Thank you for the invitation to commemorate the soldiers who fought during the battle of El Alamein. It is both an honour and a privilege to be here today. St Aloysius College is the current holder of the memorial crosses and the regimental banner of the 2/43 (2nd 43rd) Battalion. At St Aloysius College, we strongly believe in the importance of recognising those who fought for peace. By being here today, we hope to honour those who have given their lives for others.
St Aloysius College has instilled the mercy values of justice, service, compassion, courage, respect and hospitality in each and every one of us. These values embody who we are as a school. In times of uncertainty and devastating war, we stand united, in the hopes that one day our leaders will act out of these values.
As we try to understand the detrimental and generational impacts of war, we reflect and recognise that being educated about events is significantly different to first-hand experience. The suffering, trauma and loss experienced by our soldiers and their families is further evidence of their courage and sacrifice, which continues to impact families and loved ones.
As Catherine McAuley, who founded the order of the Sisters of Mercy said, “We should be shining lamps giving light to all around us”. At St Aloysius College we are called to show compassion, respect and admire the courage of everyone here today. May we all be shining lamps to people in our lives in times of darkness and uncertainty.
We pray for those in our world who are currently experiencing the devastating impacts of war. For the people in the middle east, we pray that they have the strength and courage to keep persevering and achieve a lasting peace. For the people impacted by the war in Ukraine and Russia we pray that they find peace within, in these tough times. We pray for the people impacted by the many other wars in our world that they may find compassion, respect and hope for a better future. May those who fought in the 2/43 bring hope to other people serving their countries on the front line.
This year our liturgical theme is ‘pilgrims of hope, walking together’. It calls us to advocate for those who don’t have a voice and stand up against injustices. We must be signs of hope, encouraging and supporting those who have lost hope. We look forward to the connections that we can make today and we are grateful for the opportunity to attend and be a part of this memorial.
