Students wanting a place on the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize study tour will be asked to consider the impacts of war on Australian society.

Josh Bull MP today announced the Prize is open and encouraged Year 9 and 10 students from Sunbury to apply.

Students can respond to one of three topics:

• Explore or represent the perspectives and experiences of Australians in war;
• Explore or represent the ways Australia’s involvement in war changed the role of women in Australian society; or
• Explore or represent how communities commemorate and remember those who have fought for Australia.

The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize provides young Victorians with the opportunity to learn more about our military history, travelling to places where Australian men and women have made great sacrifices for future generations.

The 2019 overseas tour will travel to Vietnam. Almost 60,000 Australian men and women served in the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1972 and 521 were killed in action. In May 2018, we will mark the 50th anniversary of Australia’s involvement in key battles during the war at Fire Support Bases Coral and Balmoral.

In addition to the overseas tour, a group of finalists will participate in a study tour to Canberra, where they will visit key sites of national significance including the Australian War Memorial.

Since 2014, 240 Victorian students have travelled as part of the Prize to locations including Lemnos, the Western Front, Singapore and Darwin.

Secondary school teachers are also invited to apply to become chaperones on the tours.

Entries for the 2018-19 study tour will close on 9 October 2018.

For more details and to apply online, visit www.dpc.vic.gov.au/soap

Quotes attributable to Josh Bull MP, Member for Sunbury

“I encourage all eligible students to apply for the Prize – this will be an opportunity of a lifetime and you will come away from this experience with a rich understanding of Australia’s military history and a deeper respect for those who serve their country, past and present.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Veterans John Eren

“We’re giving Victorian students a unique opportunity to learn more about those
who have served their country, and to honour those who have lost their lives.”