Students keen to visit Gallipoli and the Western Front are encouraged to enter the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize competition.
Open for the 2016 dattes, applicants are asked to describe what the Anzac spirit means today in a diverse and multicultural Australia.
The lucky 12 students who won the competition this year returned home last week after having gone on a 14-day pilgrimage of Gallipoli and the Western Front with a stop-over in Greece.
The Year 10 and 11 pupils tracked the journeys of World War 1 nurses at Lemnos, wandered the coastline at Anzac Cove, and laid wreaths and sang the national anthem at a ceremony at Belgium’s Menin Gate.
The group visited the Shrapnel Valley grave of Major Hugh Quinn, 15th Battalion, who was shot dead by Turkish forces, and commemorated the life of Private Hugh Brian O’Donnell, 11th Battalion, who was killed at age 16.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says the tour is a chance for the next generation of Australians to reflect upon the “sacrifices of servicemen and women who so bravely defended our nation”.
“The students return home with a better understanding and appreciation of an important chapter in our country’s history,” he says.
Minister for Veterans John Eren encourages all students to apply for next year’s competition.
“By walking in the footsteps of servicemen and women 100 years ago, these students live their memories,” he says.
“All eligible applicants should consider applying for next year’s prize.”
The prize is open to Year 9 and Year 10 students enrolled in all Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools.
Students can submit an essay (up to 1,000 words), a poem, short story, audio presentation (max. 10 minutes), video presentation (max. 10 mintues), musical composition, web page, or artwork.
Applications should be submitted via email to SOAP@dpc.vic.gov.au by 10.00 am, Friday 18 September 2015.
To download an entry form, view sample entries and to find more information visit www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/veterans/premiers-spirit-of-anzac-prize