A memorial service and plaque unveiling at Parndana campus signals a new era for the Larcombe family mourning the death of their son and brother, Sapper Jamie Larcombe, killed on active duty in Afghanistan last February.
After the unveiling of a plaque at the 11am ANZAC Day service on Wednesday, the west end community gathered at the school on Thursday to hear from two of Sapper Larcombe’s teachers – Barb Cooper and Jodie Trethewey - about his school achievements and the antics of a cheeky prankster.
They spoke of his commitment to the CFS, his football club Western Districts and that he was the first student at Parndana to take on a school-based apprenticeship.
Veterans Affairs Minister Jack Snelling spoke and Uniting Church minister Heather Willmott gave a blessing.
A catafalque party of soliders who served with Sapper Larcombe provided an official military presence as the plaque was unveiled, revealing a short history and character reference for Jamie, a lasting reminder to the school community of the ultimate sacrifice made by a past student.
His parents Tricia and Steve and sisters Annmarie, Emily and April, attended along with the entire school community and about 100 others.
Those present were invited to lay wreaths or books to be donated to the school library.
Member for Finniss Michael Pengilly spoke on behalf of the family, thanking the defence and west end communities for more than a year of support they had provided to the family.