Queensland students to pen thousands of postcards to honour veterans this ANZAC Day

This year, more than 20,640 students will take part in the state-wide initiative across 270 Queensland schools – expressing their gratitude to veterans and current serving Defence members for their service. 

Participating schools will receive a visit from a veteran from their local RSL Queensland Sub Branch who will speak to students about ANZAC Day and help them create their own postcard. Students are then encouraged to create their own postcard based on their learnings; writing a message on one side and an illustration on the other. Once the postcards are completed, the visiting veteran will return for a postcard show-and-tell. 

RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said he was pleased to see the age-appropriate initiative continue and grow year-on-year, providing a meaningful opportunity for thousands of students across the state to remember those that went before us and how their past has impacted our futures. 

“This initiative was developed with the purpose of engaging the next generation and connecting young people to the power and meaning behind the ANZAC spirit,” MAJGEN Day said. 

“It may seem like a small gesture, but the postcard act as such a meaningful keepsake and are truly valued by the veterans who receive them.” 

The activity has been created to pay homage to the vital support that letters and postcards have played throughout Australia’s military history. 

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces (ANZACs) in Gallipoli during World War I in 1915.  

Every year, Australians observe this day by honouring the legacy of the ANZACs and all who have served or sacrificed for our nation in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

For more information on how to get involved and to download your own ‘Postcard of Honour’, visit rslqld.org/postcards-of-honour