June 1942 School Magazine

Brisbime Girls' Grammar School Magazine

Brisbane Girls' Grammar School Magazine

June, 1942

June, 1942

THE TRIUMPH OF DEMOCRACY. The World to-day is engaged in a struggle unprecedented in history-a struggle in ·which Democracy is fighting for its very existence against the merciless cruelty and oppression of the Nazi regime. We who are living in these times must feel ourselves immeasureably favoured that we are allowed to wit- ness, and be a part of this struggle which will terminate with the victory of the forces of Good over the forces of Evil. Since our shores have been threatened with a Japanese invasion we realize more than ever how close is this Evil. But a change has been wrought in the people of Australia. This threat to our fair land has aroused all our patriotism and we are prepared. Our factories are produCing more and still more ammunition, guns, p lanes . We, who were never considered an industrial country, can produce like this for the sake of Democracy. And yet we wonder why it must be that our fac- tories can produce only when weapons of destruction are need- ed. Surely, when the war is over the machinery will not cease. It must produce articles of peace. Besides the vast number of workers engaged in munition making, the women of Australia are enlisting in Women's :forces. Many of our Australian soldiers and airmen have re- turned from abroad bringing stirring tales of heroic deeds and unbelieveable hardships staunchly borne. And we who listen pledge ourselves to do all in our power, so that their hard- ships shall not have been borne in vain. While so many of our brave boys are still fighting in foreign fields, a great United States army has arrived in Aus- tralia to help in the defence of our shores. These well trained, well-equipped soldiers in their trim uniforms have excited cur admiration. Their bomber and fighter planes are a common sight in the air, and we know now that if the Japanese attempt their invasicn they shall not find it an easy task. This help from Amer'ca in our hour of need is appreciated very greatly by Australia and when: victory is won we will not forget. And victory shall· be ours. We cannot fail. This war and turmoiL. is . only a period of evolution; and after the darkness, we shall awake .unto a new wqrld in vrhich peace and pros- perity reign supreme. Peace must be lasting, though. The world could· not endure the suffering, devastation and death of such a war again. WHh the he lo of God and an under- standing of our weaknesses gained from past mistakes we shall build this new world-Our Utopia. -Una Smith, VI. 2-1

THE FIELD. Dawn came, and on the field the heavy dew Like silver sparkling on a gown of green Lay thick. And, in a little track across Its sheen, were broken footsteps Where the men had been. They had passed on to work in further field~ Where beauty lies in every lonely rick; . And where the birds, in solitude supreme, Reigned masters of their simple ordered lives. At even they returned . Dawn came, and on the fie ld dark footsteps marred Its green and, like bright diamonds glittering mids t The curls of some dark head, was seen the dew.- Alone a silent figure lies Where once the men had been. They had passed on to light in further fields Where death came whizzing, roaring from the skies And where each ·shrub a treacherous gun concealed - And where re treat meant but to walk and die.- They came not back at even.

-LOIS PURVIS, VL

ZOE EWART, IV.E.

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