Hi Premier's Anzac Spirit School prize students.

Congratulations on being such a wonderful group in Vietnam in April. Your co-operation, inquisitiveness and general interest in all aspects of the trip was amazing - as teachers, we congratulate you. We also have been absolutely loving reading all your reflections!

Those among you who are in Year 10 in a Department for Education school - please consider entering the Minister for Education's Eden School Prize. 

The question in 2024 is 'How can music make the world a better and happier place?' Further information on the prize can be found on the Eden School Prize website.

We also encourage you to give some thought to entering the Governor's Civics Awards for Schools for 2024.  A brief video about the awards can be found here and the information brochure by clicking here.

Feel free to contact me if you would like any more information about the Eden Prize of Governor's Awards.  You are also more than welcome to pass this information on to any of your friends that may be interested.

All the best for your future studies and thanks once again for sharing the experience of the study tour with us in April 2024.

Regards, Aaron

Awardee Reflection - Max Callen

 The trip to Vietnam was incredible!

It enabled me to reflect on the sacrifice made by our ANZACs during the war as well as to explore the rich history and culture of Vietnam.  I didn’t know anyone in the group at first but now feel I have made lifelong friends and connections with people who all share a common interest in history.  I was very appreciative to be amongst such a great group of peers and dedicated teachers who really made the trip what it was! The tour guides were also outstanding and particularly Martin. His knowledge of his country, the war and history in general made every bus ride an unforgettable learning experience.

We visited many scenic and fascinating places; personally, my favourite place over the course of the trip was Hoi An. I enjoyed visiting the markets and interacting with the locals. It was also fun to try different foods here. Aside from the fun aspects of the trip, there were also some powerful and moving moments. I thought that the ANZAC Day Service led by Dennis in Hanoi was particularly moving as even though we were far from home we were still able to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice of our ANZACs regardless of where we were.  After this service, many people spoke of their appreciation for each other as we were nearing the end of the trip.  ANZAC Day was the most pivotal moment of the trip for me.

I returned to Australia with a new sense of gratitude and a fascination for travel.

Awardee Reflection - Lilah Curnow

I was sitting on my bed, giving my dog Max some much needed love and affection while messaging my best friends in our ‘Absolutely Based’ group chat. My mum walked in, giddier than normal. She told me I was going to Vietnam for the ANZAC Spirit School Prize.

I was very confused. I hadn’t won. 

She told me all about what happened: one of the winners couldn’t attend, freeing a spot for me, the next runner up. My hands instantly became all clammy and sweaty. She handed me a printout of the itinerary with a smile on her face, then gave me a huge hug. I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

I didn’t want to go.

It was scary to admit that. I thought everyone would be disappointed in me. I had never been on a plane before, I had never even been out of the state. Staying away from my family and loved ones for two whole weeks with a bunch of strangers sounded like a nightmare. When people I knew asked if I was excited, I lied. I told them I couldn’t wait. That it was a dream come true!

But it wasn’t.

As the day came closer to meeting the group at the airport, I became more anxious. I would plead to my mum, begging her to let me stay home instead. She had to tell me over and over again that it was too late for that now. I cried. I felt like I was drowning. That it would be a horrible experience.

I was wrong.

On the very first day at the airport, my whole perspective changed. After my tearful goodbye to my parents, I was immediately shoved into the reality that I was going and there was no turning back. I saw something I didn’t expect.

I was greeted with smiling, friendly faces.

I guess I was nervous that everyone was going to know each other already, since I was a last-minute addition and had never met the group before. I was so relieved to be wrong. I was welcomed into the group with open arms. It took me a matter of hours to make friends, when I was scared I wouldn’t the entire trip.

As the trip continued, we became a close-knit family.

We would all hang out together, making life-long memories and friendships. We were all in this together. Through all the illness, exhaustion, and homesickness, we picked each other up through everything. We truly became one big "sticky rice" family!

There were laughs, tears, and sooooooo many photos taken in the beautiful country of Vietnam.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to have gone on such a life-changing trip, even if I wasn’t supposed to have gone in the first place. I met incredible people, ate some of the best food of my entire life, and experienced things I otherwise never would have. I am so glad I tried my best each and every day to look on the positives and remain grateful for everything I have.

Thank you Vietnam.

Awardee Reflection - Matilda Lloyd

Reflecting on the Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize study tour to Vietnam with peers and inspiring adults was a life changing experience, especially when considering the ANZAC spirit. The ANZAC spirit, characterised by qualities like mate-ship, perseverance, courage, and sacrifice, can be a powerful lens through which to view your experiences.

While in Vietnam, we witnessed landscapes and historical sites that hold stories of resilience and endurance, not unlike those faced by the ANZACs. Being with a group of individuals quite very similar to me has provided me a shared learning experience, where you could discuss the significance of these qualities in both historical and modern-day contexts.

The presence of amazing adults provided us guidance and a deeper insight into the ANZAC spirit, inspiring discussions and reflections after visiting significant sites. Whether it's understanding the complexities of the Vietnam War, or recognising the sacrifices made by soldiers, these conversations can help you appreciate the essence of the ANZAC legacy.

Awardee Reflection - Stephen Files

 An Eternal Memory

No words quite describe the journey that was the 2024 Anzac Spirit School Prize.

From the bustling Ho Chi Minh City to the jungle that was Long Tan, the historical impact that this trip left was like no other. It was an extremely eye-opening experience that gave the events that happened in the Vietnam War and everything prior a real feeling. Standing on the battlefield that so many Australians had stood before me, walking through the halls of grand palaces that housed the highest class of the royal family to the polar opposite Cu Chi tunnels that weren’t even tall enough to stand in are all places that I’ve been given a new sense of realism for, a level that I previously didn’t even consider to be possible.

It wasn’t just the places that were given a new meaning, but I’ve been able to connect to the three ANZACS that I researched even further. In particular, both Allan Brian Moss and Elaine Loraine Balfour-Ogilvy served in this part of the world and being able to travel to places that they had been to make their stories even more incredible and inspiring. Being able to stand in places that these people, who died years before I was even born, makes me feel even more connected to them than ever before.

To make this experience truly unforgettable, I travelled with the most incredible group of people, who were both like-minded and shared a passion for history but also had differing opinions and ideas that allowed me to see things through a different lens. While traveling to a foreign land on a different continent is a world opening experience. Traveling there with people that are like no other from my small corner of the world has been the most life changing part of the experience. The bonds that I created on this adventure are stronger than any other I have ever had. They have given me a look into what my future holds once I have moved away from the place that I call home now. And if my future shares any sort of resemblance to this adventure, then I can’t wait to continue my journey through life.

Awardee Reflection - Gaby Elias

Little did I know that the photographs, letters and stories I compiled about my Great Great Aunt Helen would lead to a passport stamp from the heart-stirring landscapes of Vietnam. Merely a month ago I embarked on my journey of the heart, a journey that undoubtedly transformed my life forever. Participating in the 2-week study tour was an unforgettable experience, shared alongside 19 other passionate students, dedicated teachers, and the remarkable presence of Dennis—an Australian veteran and RSL representative.

Amidst the 6-hour bus rides, where uncomfortable naps and charades distracted from the scorching heat, I developed life-long friendships with the people around me. Each day we learnt from one another, as I noticed the profound compassion, intelligence, selflessness and courage in my peers. I felt challenged to be the best version of myself and it allowed me to fully embrace the beautiful but harrowing stories that surrounded us.

A key memory for me would be our nightly ritual, an emotional journey where students and staff alike were entrusted to unearth the stories of forgotten South Australian servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice on the very soil we tread. It was more than a routine; it was a profound journey of remembrance, where we breathed life into their narratives through the art of storytelling.

Among them stood Peter Allan Chant, a vibrant and selfless soldier who once graced the field as an SANFL player. It was equally eye-opening and unsettling to realise that 55 years after his footsteps echoed on foreign soil, I found myself treading the same path as a man I had never met. Yet, it was because of this man that I have the privilege of living in the world that I do.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people I can proudly call my best friends; I will forever cherish the memories we shared. Thank you, Aaron, for your dedication and care for us, I am incredibly grateful for all the time you spent organising the trip both in Adelaide and Vietnam. Thank you to Lara, Tracey, Rebecca and Adam for your kindness and enthusiasm, fostering our learning journey. Finally, thank you to Dennis for being a beacon of knowledge for us all. I will always remember the Long Tan and ANZAC Day services you held.

So, until next time… Cảm ơn and Tạm biệt!

Awardee Reflection - Isabella Hudson

My experience as part of the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit Prize is a highlight of my life so far. My research allowed me to gain a greater understanding and expand my knowledge of Australian military history. 

The trip to Vietnam gave me yet another opportunity to discover more about an event I had very little prior knowledge of. 

Joining this trip was far out of my comfort zone, but upon meeting my fellow awardees I knew it would be the adventure of a lifetime. 

When stepping out of Ho Chi Minh airport I was amazed by the landscape and number of people. As a group we travelled to many interesting and beautiful locations. One of which was the Cu Chi tunnels. Our day at the Cu Chi tunnels was one of my favourites of the trip, because I’d never truly thought about North Vietnamese warfare strategies. Going through the tunnels, and facing my claustrophobia, both allowed me to confront my fear and gain understanding of the harsh environment endured by those men and women. 

Later, a wonderful moment was being able to gift my handmade crochet amigurumi to the children of the orphanage. It was great to see the joy on their faces and I hope the toys bring them comfort for many years to come. 

My highlight was Hoi An. This gorgeous historic town gave me a chance to appreciate Vietnamese culture. The overwhelming beauty of Hoi An makes it a place I’d recommend for all visitors to Vietnam. 

An emotional part of the trip was our service at Long Tan. Led by Dennis, the RSL representative, this service let us pause to remember the sacrifice of all service men and women, not just in Vietnam but throughout history. The story behind the last post as a signal for the soldiers to rest is very moving and something I will recall every ANZAC Day. 

I would like to thank my family. My mum and dad for despite their nerves allowing me to have this experience. My grandparents, who encouraged me and assisted with my initial report. 

Also, my teachers at Investigator College: Mr Sullivan, Ms Bolt, Miss Kaur and Ms O’Donnell for letting me ask a million questions and nurturing my love of history. 

The teachers on the trip: Aaron, Adam, Tracey, Lara, Bex and Dennis. This trip would not have been possible without your hard work and dedication.

Finally, thanks to all my new friends for making me feel so welcome and making this trip incredible. 

In honour of Andrew Scott MM. 

Lest We Forget.