ANZAC legacy honoured through thousands of student postcards
10 April 2025- ANZACspirit
- History & commemoration
For its third consecutive year, RSL Queensland has launched the ‘Postcards of Honour’ initiative.
This creative activity invites school students from across Queensland to mark ANZAC Day through the creation of postcards for local veterans.
This year, 24,000 students from 228 schools will take part in penning a postcard to express their gratitude, knowledge or personal connection to the veteran and Defence community before their creations are handed out on ANZAC Day, Friday 25 April.
Working with RSL Queensland Sub Branches across the state, postcards are distributed to participating schools where veterans deliver an insightful, educational presentation to help inspire what students can include on their postcard.
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said he was pleased to see so many Queensland schools eager to participate each year, emphasising how the activity encouraged further awareness and discussions about ANZAC Day.
“‘Postcards of Honour’ is an interactive and engaging way for the younger generation to learn about what the commemoration represents and means in Australia,” MAJGEN Day said.
“While the activity is a great learning and reflection opportunity for students, the crafted messages and pictures on the postcards are truly admired and cherished by the thousands of veterans who receive them.”
Postcards also have a special connection to World War I, in that they acted as a visual and verbal link between soldiers and their loved ones at home.
“Many of the Sub Branches assisting with the initiative have received high praise from both the schools and veterans involved, explaining how the students have put so much thought and creativity into making each card,” MAJGEN said.
“The ANZACs fought with endurance, courage, ingenuity, good humor, and mateship – qualities that have come to define what we know as the ANZAC spirit. It’s incredibly heartwarming to know that today’s students not only understand these values but also carry them forward when honouring the contributions of veterans.”
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.
Each year, Australians observe this day to honour the ANZACs and all who have served or sacrificed for our nation in 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.