At the beginning of the war, the Principal wrote:

'[The War] has made students realise as never before that they are the descendents of a mighty race who are still "giants on the earth" today, .... [students] exalt in the thought that the sport-loving Australian is proving no decadent, no empty trifler, but one to whom the voice of duty appeals more strongly than the siren voice of selfish amusement!'

(Ballarat Agricultural High School Magazine, December 1914)

To think about:

1. Who was meant by the 'mighty race who are still "giants on the earth" today'?
2. Why was it so important that Australians could measure themselves favourably against other countries?