Student to present poem of remembrance

THIRTEEN-year-old Heidi Erwin will read a poem at this Sunday’s virtual seventeenth anniversary service for The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial.

The young speaker was selected by the Ballarat Legacy group and has filmed a reading of John McCosker OAM’s 2020 piece, The Writing’s on the Wall about the 36,000 servicepeople recognised on the Memorial wall opposite Lake Wendouree.

The Damascus College year 9 student said she was honoured to be offered the opportunity.

Heidi previously laid wreaths on behalf of Legacy at the Garden of the Grieving mother, but this is the first time her public speaking skills are in the spotlight.

“I was excited to be chosen because there are a lot of Legacy public speakers and they picked me. It’s also important to be representing Legacy as my dad was in the army,” she said.

Heidi’s father served in East Timor as a member of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment.

The Erwin family has been supported by Legacy since, and Heidi has enjoyed making connections with other young people who understand what it’s like to have a parent or relative who is an ex-serviceperson or is currently in the military.

“We do lots of activities every year with all different families from around Australia. We’ve met lots of new people and made friends with other Ballarat families,” she said.

Mum, Renee Erwin, said it’s important for younger generations to connect with the experiences of ex-prisoners of war and past servicepeople.

“When we pass the stories down, we keep them alive. A lot of the living memories are vanishing now, so it’s good to have our young people understand and keep the traditions going,” she said.

Visit powmemorialballarat.com.au to watch the COVID-safe service this Sunday, 14 February at 11am.

Other presenters include master of ceremonies Bruce Roberts, City of Ballarat mayor Cr Daniel Moloney, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Darren Chester, broadcaster Megan Spencer, Reverend John Furness, and Dr Tom Roberts OAM.