Senior Students who are exploring careers in deference were treated to a special presentation from Australian Army’s sergeant Fletcher Browne and corporal Bayley Glover.
The soldiers represent different trade pathways young people can take, with sergeant Browne working as a fuel specialist, and corporal Glover is an electrician.
The presentation covered all roles in the Australian Defence Force in each of the three services; army, air force and navy.
Owen Landmeter, a year 11 student, has been preparing for a pathway in defence for some time, including participating in cadets in the community at 304 Army Cadet Unit in Newborough.
Owen said the information session was great, providing a lot of information that he can share with his family about what both his VCE and post Year 12 pathway will look like.
Owen said students heard about a range of options from bridging courses to direct ATAR pathways, highlighting that there is no single route into Defence careers – just many opportunities tailored to strengths and aspirations.
Trafalgar High School careers teacher Gabrielle Evans said the ADF team shared personal experiences, training insights, and information about scholarships, apprenticeships, and university-supported programs.
School captain Brodie Forrest said, “The presentation provided inspiration and excitement for students.”
He felt many of his peers who attended are now exploring options they had never considered before in ADF pathways and shared his appreciation for the school’s careers team for arranging the opportunity for students to hear directly from army personnel.
Students attend Shrine commemoration
Melbourne Legacy ran its Annual Anzac commemoration for students on 5 May.
A number of Gippsland schools attended , with Trafalgar High School represented by represented by Izik, Jordan. Ben and Brodie at the Shine of Remembrance.
The aim of the service is both to mark the contribution of Australian defence forces in war and peace-keeping work but also to introduce and explain the traditions that young people will see at local dawn and Anzac Day services.
Now in its 94th year, the ceremony featured formal proceedings, including attendance by Lieutenant-Governor Professor James Angus AO, who addressed the crowd on why the occasion remains of profound importance to our national identity.
On arrival at the ceremony, the Lieutenant-Governor spoke with Brodie, who is in Year 12 and a school captain, asking him a few questions about the school, travelling by V/Line to the city and participating in the service.
Izik, who is in Year 7, was very keen on learning more about Guard of Honour from the Melbourne High School cadets.
Brodie and Jordan, from Year 8, laid a wreath during the ceremony on behalf of our school community during the commemorative service.
Principal Brett Pedlow thanked Izik, Jordan, Ben and Brodie for joining other secondary and primary school students from around Victoria in keeping the Anzac spirit alive by commemorating the sacrifices made by the brave Australians who have served our country.
Speakers of the House
A team of three students from travelled to the Victorian Parliament house in Melbourne on 20 May to take part in the 2026 Victorian Students’ Parliamentary Program.
Baxter Hankinson of Year 11, Riley Taylor-Bowman and Nathan Markovich of year 9 rose to speak before an assembly of students from all over Victoria, worked in committee to craft legislation, and voted to pass a law regarding Facial Recognition Technology and Privacy.
Trafalgar High School principal Brett Pedlow said, “As a school we congratulate these students for taking on this opportunity to learn how parliament works and for getting up very early to make it there on time!”
He noted that after the event, the school posted details of the session on Facebook, and now our local member Wayne Farnham MP has replied offering the students a visit and tour with him on a sitting day.
Baxter said, “Trafalgar High School has offered me several extension and excursion opportunities this year, and in coming weeks is taking us on a tour of the Melbourne Supreme Court” as he thanked his teachers and school leadership for making these experiences possible.
