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In 2005 the 2/17th Battalion Association requested of our school the honour of presenting an award for excellence in the name of John Edmondson.
This award recognises the student who has achieved distinction and excellence and embodies all the characteristics of John Edmondson. Courage and integrity while showing a genuine care for the whole school community.
This award is named in honour of Austin Mackell, John Edmondson’s platoon leader. Austin Mackell was a man of great intelligence and great achievements.
Born and raised in Merrylands, Austin Mackell attended Parramatta High School between 1930 and 1933. He achieved seven A grades in his Intermediate Examination and was looking forward to a professional career. Sadly his father died and Mackell chose to leave school to help support his mother and sisters. He rose in his employment to be the organisations country sales manager in NSW whilst also achieving a commission in the militia – the 4th battalion. He subsequently transferred to the 2/17th battalion. He enlisted in the Australian Army in May 1940.
As a Lieutenant in the 2/17 th Battalion, serving in Tobruk, Lybia, Mackell was in charge of a small platoon, comprising himself, Corporal John Edmondson, Privates Foster, Grant, Smith, Williams and Keogh that attacked 30 German soldiers armed with mortars and machine guns, in a bayonet charge.
During the battle Lt Mackell was wrestling with one German soldier when attacked by another. Corporal Edmondson, already seriously wounded, came to his commander’s defence, killing both Germans. Despite being outmanned and outgunned, Mackell’s platoon despatched 12 of the enemy and captured another, the rest fled. Corporal Edmondson died of his wounds the following day on the 14 th April 1941 – his actions resulting in the posthumous award of the Victoria Cross. Mackell was awarded the Military Cross on 18 July 1941, for 'remarkable gallantry and brilliant leadership' during the 13 April 1941 battle. By 1944 Mackell had been promoted to the rank of Major. Later he was returned to the 4th Battalion and seconded to General Blamey’s staff and then to the British war office in London.
On discharge from the AIF he successfully established in Australia the business of Scott Baume, industrial chemists: at the same time he acquired an economics degree and commanded the Sydney University Regiment.
In June 1955, Lieutenant-Colonel Mackell MC, of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps was awarded the Officer of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire.
Named in recognition of the place the Battle of Long Tan holds in the hearts and minds of Australians, and the values the veterans displayed on that day.
They also act as a fitting tribute to the Long Tan veterans, as they encourage and recognise the very values they demonstrated – such as mateship, tenacity, teamwork, and leadership – amongst our senior students and future leaders.
The Awards are given to one student in Years 10, 11, and 12. Students are selected by the principal for regularly demonstrating the values outlined by the awards selection criteria within their school, and the local community.
Selection criteria:
Attendance medals are awarded to students in recognition of commitment to their learning by attending school each day of the entire school year. Many of these students are high achievers due to the significant learning opportunities afforded by 100% attendance.
The medallions are awarded to students who obtain three (or further multiples of three) excellence awards. Excellence awards are given to students who obtain five faculty certificates from differing subject areas. Thus students progressing to the medallion level are demonstrating exceptional focus and commitment across the full range of school curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
Each medallion requires an additional three excellence awards which therefore means that only exceptional students will reach the final platinum level.
Recipients of this award should demonstrate the six key characteristics of the Caltex Best All Rounder:
•Academic - achieves scholastically across a range of subjects •Attitude - willing to help others and makes selfless contributions
•Personal Conduct - is exemplary at all times
•Leadership - is a role model to other students
•Service - participates in school and community activities •Sporting - represents the school without necessarily being a champion
This award is given to the house whose students make the greatest positive contribution, across all facets of school life, in the current year. School provides opportunities in many different ways for students to demonstrate their commitment, effort and achievements. Thus in establishing an overall champion house award, students can earn positive points for their house based on aspects of school as different as punctuality and attendance to participation in one or more of the many extra-curricular activities we offer, as well as academic or sporting involvement and achievement.
This award is named in honour of Jack Harris and Doug Foster who served with John Edmondson in WW2. They were with him when he won his VC in Tobruk. At the official opening ceremony of John Edmondson High School in December 2005 we were greatly honoured to have in attendance both Jack Harris and Doug Foster. Jack Harris as the secretary of the 2/17 th Battalion Association was a great friend of our school. When the decision to name our school was made we were not able to seek the permission of John Edmondson’s family, as there was no close living relative. We spoke to the men of the 2/17 th Battalion Association and asked for their approval. Jack Harris, as their representative was delighted to inform us that his comrades were elated that a school would be named after John Edmondson. We soon discovered that Jack Harris participated in the battle that resulted in the award of the VC to John Edmondson.
Jack’s role was that of a forward lookout providing covering fire for the men who advanced to meet the enemy. It is most fitting that Jack’s name is included in this award as he continued to be a leader for the men he served with in WW2; organising ANZAC Day marches, social events and caring for the families of those men of the 2/17 th who had passed away.
Doug Foster was a member of the seven-man platoon that attacked the advancing enemy on the night of the 13 th April 1941. This platoon included John Edmondson whose extraordinary bravery was recognised by the award of the Victoria Cross medal. Soon after this battle it was discovered that Doug was only 16 years of age. He had put his age up to enlist in the army. Doug’s army comrades decided because of his age he should be returned to Australia. Doug was devastated by Edmondson’s death as he looked up to him as a mentor and big brother. Doug took on the responsibility to return Edmondson’s belongings to his mother and father when he returned to Australia.
Both Jack Harris and Doug Foster passed away in 2006. This award is in memory of them; their courage and their integrity.
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