Looking For Anzac Fundraising Ideas For Schools? Here's A Meaningful Initiative That Supports Veterans

As Term 1 progresses, schools across Australia begin preparing for one of the most significant dates on the national calendar: ANZAC Day. Educators are not only planning commemorative assemblies and classroom activities, but also considering fundraising ideas and initiatives that are respectful, educational and community-focused.

When schools begin planning fundraising ideas for ANZAC Day, they are often asking two key questions: What will genuinely engage students? and How can we meaningfully support veterans?

Recent feedback from educational support teams across the Townsville region provides compelling insight into why schools are embracing the HeroTags initiative so enthusiastically.

HeroTags is a simple yet powerful ANZAC Day initiative that combines remembrance, student engagement and meaningful veteran support. Learn more about it here.

HeroTags Gain Positive Reception Across School Communities

HeroTags were recently presented to approximately 25 staff representing Primary and High Schools across Public, Private, Catholic, independent, single-sex and co-educational settings (Prep–Year 12). The response was clear and consistent.

“The response was extremely positive, mentors were very excited about the concept and unanimously agreed that HeroTags would be particularly popular with Primary school students.” Gayle Walkom, Defence School Mentor of St Patrick’s College Townsville.

This level of cross-sector enthusiasm highlights something important: schools are actively seeking meaningful answers to the question of what to do on ANZAC Day that go beyond traditional ceremonies. They want students to participate — not just observe.

HeroTags offer that excellent opportunity.

Top 3 Reasons Why Schools Are Embracing HeroTags

1. Ready-to-use promotional materials are available to download and support your school’s fundraising initiative

Schools are busy environments. Teachers, administration staff and leadership teams are constantly balancing curriculum demands, wellbeing priorities and community events. Any one of the many fundraising ideas must be easy to implement.

One of the strongest pieces of feedback from educational support teams was appreciation for the fully prepared promotional resources.

“They greatly appreciated that the promotional materials, including the posters, were already prepared, as this makes it much easier for schools to promote and implement the program without adding to staff workload,” shares Gayle.

From professionally designed posters to ANZAC Day colouring pages, the materials are ready to distribute immediately. The colouring-in sheets, in particular, were described as "a hit!!!!" More than pieces of paper, they become gateways to age-appropriate conversations about remembrance, service and sacrifice. Teachers can integrate them into classroom discussions about Australian history, values and community responsibility.

Instead of spending hours designing resources, schools can focus on student engagement. This is a key differentiator in the space of fundraising ideas for schools.

2. HeroTags allows schools to leverage existing veteran support networks with ease

Many Australian schools already maintain close ties with local veteran organisations and Defence families. These relationships often include connections to the local veteran support organisations.

As Gayle noted: “Most of the schools already have contacts/family members from RSL’s, Local Veteran Groups and have initiatives like ‘Adopt a Soldier’ so this was promising to hear the already established networks.”

This alignment is significant for veteran support fundraising ideas. With HeroTags, schools do not need to build new relationships from scratch. Instead, the program strengthens and complements existing community connections.

For schools with Defence families, this initiative can be especially meaningful. It provides students with a tangible way to support veterans and recognise the service of parents, grandparents and extended family members.

In this way, a HeroTag becomes more than an ANZAC Day gift — it becomes a symbol of community solidarity and appreciation.

3. HeroTags is supported by strong community awareness and interest

Momentum for HeroTags in the Townsville region has been strong even before stock arrivals.

“The social media ads on Facebook have spread like wildfire throughout our region – with most of the educational support staff already having seen the advertisement,” Gayle continues.

This organic awareness has helped build anticipation within schools. Mentors reported early interest and proactive enquiries.

“A number of mentors have already expressed strong interest in participating and were asking when Hero Tags will be available… keen to know when stock is expected to arrive in Townsville so schools can begin planning and promoting the program.”

For schools, timing is critical. With stock arriving before the Easter holidays, they can launch sales in the first week back, leading directly into ANZAC Day. This forward planning reflects a broader trend in school fundraising ideas in Australia: schools prefer initiatives that align with calendar events and can be strategically promoted.

Addressing the Question: What to Do for ANZAC Day in Schools?

Every year, a majority of educators ask: What should we do for ANZAC Day that is meaningful and age-appropriate?

HeroTags provide a multi-layered answer:

• Classroom discussions supported by ANZAC Day colouring pages

• Fundraising activities that contribute to veteran support

• Assembly presentations incorporating the symbolism of the tags

• Opportunities for students to purchase and gift HeroTags to family members

These small but meaningful items function as ANZAC Day gifts that students can wear proudly or present to loved ones. For families with Defence connections, this can be deeply personal.

For others, it becomes a way to learn about service and remembrance in a tangible form.

Simple Wholesale Setup for Schools

Administrative simplicity is another key factor influencing adoption. This process can be easily done online or through the help of a customer service representative.

“I did mine last year or perhaps the year before and it was very quick and easy to do, with help only a phone call away if there were any questions,” Gayle recalls.

The streamlined registration process ensures schools can move quickly from interest to implementation. Clear support channels also reduce hesitation which is an important consideration for busy school administrators.

HeroTags Strengthens Veteran Support Through Student Participation

At its heart, HeroTags is about veteran support.

ANZAC Day is a moment of national reflection, but for many Defence families, remembrance is personal and ongoing. School-based initiatives that actively support veterans help students understand that service is not an abstract concept — it is lived experience within their communities.

By participating in the HeroTags campaign:

• Students learn about service and sacrifice.

• Schools strengthen Defence-family inclusion.

• Communities are reminded of the importance of remembrance.

A Leading ANZAC Day Fundraising Idea for Schools

For schools seeking thoughtful, practical and values-driven fundraising ideas, HeroTags stand apart by combining education, remembrance and community impact in one simple initiative.

✔ Educational engagement through ready-made promotional materials and activity sheets for easy classroom integration

✔ Meaningful ANZAC gifts, officially approved by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) for the ANZAC brand

✔ Strong alignment with RSL and veteran networks, creating genuine opportunities to support those who have served

Stephen Davie, Managing Director of the BrandNet Group, the company behind HeroTags, explains: “In our veteran fundraising landscape, HeroTags aren’t just another product. They represent purpose and engagement.”

As schools across Australia prepare for ANZAC Day, HeroTags are proving to be more than a fundraiser — they are a bridge between education, community and service.

"They answer the question of what to do for ANZAC Day with clarity and impact. They provide a structured way to participate in remembrance while contributing to veteran support initiatives. And they do so in a format that respects teachers’ time and school resources."  

For many schools, that combination makes all the difference.

How Schools Can Participate

Flexibility, Stephen shares, has been central to the program’s design. Schools can adopt a model that reflects their capacity, budget and community relationships.

“For schools wanting to run their own initiative, they can purchase HeroTags at wholesale, sell them for $3 each, and donate the profits to a local veteran organisation of their choice,” he explains. The model is particularly suited to schools with an active P&C or those working within modest fundraising budgets. It allows them to retain oversight of the campaign while directing proceeds to a veteran cause that resonates locally.

For schools seeking a lower-risk option, a partnership model removes the financial barrier altogether. Under this structure, a local veteran organisation purchases the HeroTags upfront, the school manages sales, and all funds raised are returned directly to the veteran group. The arrangement enables schools to participate meaningfully in ANZAC Day activities without committing budget or carrying stock risk.

And for those without established Defence or veteran connections, support is available. “If a school doesn’t already have a local veteran partner, we’re more than happy to introduce them to one,” Stephen says.