South Australian high school students have the opportunity of a lifetime to gain a place on the ANZAC Spirit Tour 2009 to the Western Front.
Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith and Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Atkinson today issued an invitation to the State’s Year 9 and Year 10 students to enter this year’s competition.
Five high school students will win the chance to attend a State Government-sponsored study tour to battlefields and memorials to commemorate ANZAC Day next year.
To enter the competition, students can make a video, a six-minute digital program, an audio production, produce a web page, or write a three-page application.
“We want this competition to appeal to our 21st century information technology-literate youth as well as history students or even French scholars,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“The prize is a great opportunity for our young people to learn more about the ANZAC spirit.
“We want to ensure all young South Australians have a true sense of the importance of ANZAC Day and its relevance to our nation.
“We are particularly interested in the views of students of indigenous and diverse cultural backgrounds. After all, ANZAC Day belongs to all Australians.
“This prize builds on the work our schools already do to make sure our children learn about the remarkable sacrifices of Australian servicemen and women.
“It gives a group of young South Australians the extraordinary opportunity to visit Western Front battlefields and graves, and attend services in remembrance of those who lost their lives.”
Veterans’ Affairs Minister Michael Atkinson encourages students to enter the competition.
“This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about Australia’s history, the ANZAC spirit and the life and sacrifices of a local soldier.
“Preserving memory of the ANZAC spirit for future generations is being helped through competitions such as this.”
Information about the ANZAC Spirit School Prize 2009 is being sent to all public and private high schools in South Australia with a call for entries. Winners will be announced in December this year.
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