Awardee Reflection - Owen Webster

 

Stepping into the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City after a 9-hour plane journey felt as far away from Adelaide as you can get. I felt instantly shocked and overwhelmed by the lights and people everywhere. The city felt otherworldly. 

This trip has opened my eyes to how the impact the war has had on Vietnam and shaped it both socially and politically. From the War Remnants Museum to the Cu Chi Tunnels to Halong Bay, we have had many invaluable experiences allowing us to soak in every aspect of this country. I am so fortunate to be able to hold onto these memories for a lifetime. 

One of the most impactful and emotional days during our trip was day 5. We checked out of our hotel early in Vung Tau and drove to an orphanage in Ba Ria built by the Australian Vietnam Volunteers Resource Group. We then had an opportunity to meet some of the 90 children who live in the orphanage. The orphanage cares for children without parents or children with a disability. Meeting the children was a very humbling experience, highlighting how special it is to look out for people on the other side of the world. Despite the language barrier, we were able to bring a smile to their faces. 

After lunch, we travelled further into the Ba Ria Province to the Battle of Long Tan Cross. We walked in silence down an avenue of rubber trees towards the Long Tan cross. This was a very emotional moment for me. 

Looking around taking in the different sights and smells it seemed peaceful. It was hard to imagine this was a battleground. On the trip, we presented research on an Australian soldier who died in Vietnam. 

The man I researched Colin Whiston, died during the Battle of Long Tan. I connected with his story over the course of a few months. Then I followed in his journey all the way from Vung Tau to Nui Dat and his final footsteps in Long Tan. 

Thank you to all of those who made this trip memorable and possible. Thank you to Lara, Tracey, Rebecca and Adam for leading us through this exciting chapter of my life. Thank you for all your insight and care, making us feel safe more than 5000km from home. Thank you, Aaron, for all your hard work in helping us experience the sights, smells, tastes, and history of Vietnam. Thank you, Dennis, for sharing your knowledge and insight into the Vietnam war and Australia’s war history. Thank you for taking the time to present about your medals, I will always remember the ANZAC Day service you held. 

I feel so blessed to have met and spent time with every single one of the 19 other awardees. To spend time with such a talented group of young people is something I will hold forever. Going from a group of strangers at Adelaide Airport to friends in two weeks was a whirlwind I will always hold dearly. Cảm ơn

See you all soon. 

Awardee Reflection - Emma Slattery

The 2024 Anzac Prize study of Vietnam during the April school holidays was a truly amazing experience. 

Over the past few weeks since being back home, I've been able to reflect upon the unforgettable moments and broad range of opportunities we were so fortunate to experience. Taking time to sit down and share some of these memories and photos with my family and friends, and seeing their reactions to some of the places we visited has made me forever grateful. 

I met and made many wonderful new friends on the trip, and I will appreciate all of you forever. 

I have been asked by several different people what was my favourite part of the trip - and to be honest there were too many amazing experiences that I can’t pinpoint my favourite. The vibrancy and bartering at the markets were always entertaining, the scenery and experience of the cruise was stunning, and the long bus trips were certainly unforgettable! Visiting the tunnels, memorials, and museums provided many eye-opening learning moments. Anzac Day and the ceremony at Long Tan were simply unforgettable, and of course, I can’t forget the leader of Sticky Rice, Papa Martin. 

I cannot thank everyone involved enough, the teachers and all those involved in organizing this experience, I will forever cherish this opportunity and I feel very privileged to have been part of the 2024 Anzac Prize Study tour, it is truly an amazing experience to be part of, and one that I would highly recommend to other students in the future. 

Awardee Reflection - Zoe Bennett

 

This trip to Vietnam not only provided me the opportunity to form lasting friendships, but also equipped me with entirely new perspectives. Reading stories of soldiers who walked on the very soil where we stood is a lifechanging experience that I will never forget. Having only ever considered the experiences of Australian soldiers, witnessing how Vietnam as a country commemorates their brave soldiers and has moved forward from the war provided me with a completely new perspective to consider. I will forever be grateful for the memories and insights this trip has granted me.

It is incredibly hard to pinpoint a highlight of this trip, as every day was filled with fun and important memories. One day that stood out to me was our visit to the orphanage. Seeing the young children, especially the babies and the disabled children lying in those rooms, made me feel profoundly grateful for the life I am blessed to have. The opportunity to visit these children was immensely moving and set the theme of 'gratitude' for the rest of the day very well. 

Another memorable moment for me was the Long Tan rubber plantation service, which Dennis hosted for us. It felt extremely surreal to be in the very place where the Battle of Long Tan occurred, and the emotion experienced during the service is indescribable. Once again, I felt immense gratitude during this service, both for the sacrifices made by those servicemen to serve our country and for the safe life I am able to live.

I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this trip a reality. Thank you so much to Tracey, Adam, Bex, Lara, Dennis, and Aaron for this opportunity and for taking such great care of us all. I also want to extend my thanks to all my fellow awardees who made the trip so much fun. The friends and memories I made on this trip will truly be cherished forever.

Awardee Reflection - Luke Graves

 

Vietnam: There’s a Soldier who Still Marches

 

Deep in the rubber plantations of Vung Tau
There sits a clearing
It’s not big, quite small really
But it holds something special
As there’s a soldier who still marches.

His boots clash with the jungle floor
His gun, held close to his body
His head is held high, his hat tight
His guard is always up, he can’t afford to let it down
He scans the ground for openings and traps
He scans for anything that looks amiss
He scans and scans, day in, day out.

It's been like this for years.

He approaches a clearing; a road awaits him.

But something is different.

He sees a group, a group of people that remind him of something
For the first time in a long while, the soldier lets a bit of his guard down.

Precariously, he follows the group as they walk down a narrow pathway
Some hold flowers, others are just silent.

They approach a statue that sits on a marble platform.

The soldier now sits against a rubber tree
He quietly observes the group.

A man, Dennis, gets up to speak as poppies are handed out.

The words he delivers are moving and beautiful, and even brings some to tears.

As the soldier looks on, he slowly lowers his guard a little bit more.

The bugle sounds out, playing a tune all too familiar to the soldier
As Dennis falls silent, and the last post closes, not a sound can be heard
The Soldier rests his weary head
He can still hear his mates carrying on and laughing, its as bright as day
He remembers their faces, full of life, full of happiness, full of hope
There are many sounds of negativity associated with war
Gunshots, artillery, screaming, yelling, explosions, the list goes on
But for a minute, the Soldier only thinks about his mates
A bright, shining star, in a sea of darkness and despair.

Reveille plays
The Soldier rises
It’s time for him to go home.

He leaves his gun at the tree
He doesn’t need it any more
He leaves his hat at the tree
He doesn’t need it any more.

For the first time in years, the Soldier is relaxed
For the first time in years, the Soldier hears the chirping of birds
For the first time in years, the soldier can finally hear his thoughts.

“I need to go home”.

He steps out from the tree, and into the sun
The one thing that never changes
It will always shine, no matter where you are.

He embraces its warmth.

It’s been a long time since he was home.

A long time since a mother has had someone to hug
A long time since a father has had someone to help him out with a job or two
A long time since a brother or sister has had someone to just talk to.

It’s really been a long time.

The soldier relaxes, as the group lays their poppies against the memorial
He feels like a great weight has been lifted off his shoulders
He feels as if he could fly.

Fly home.

Gratitude was one of the main themes I took away from Vietnam. After travelling to such a different country, I realised that I, and I’m sure others, were more grateful for what they had in life. I felt the most grateful however during the two Anzac memorial ceremonies that were held in Vung Tau and Hanoi by our RSL veteran, Dennis. Never have I been so moved before in my life, and I’m sure the same could be said for others on the trip.

I also felt grateful when hearing the stories everyone told about the Anzac they researched before coming on the trip. The hardships they all went through and what they experienced. I truly felt grateful for what the Anzac’s put themselves through. I also felt grateful to live in a country free from such a war, where I can feel safe and protected.

Dennis, the ceremonies you held, the stories you told, were moving and beautiful. I am grateful for the experiences you provided to us on this trip, and the wealth of knowledge that you shared with us.

Adam, Lara, Tracey, Bex, and Aaron, I am grateful for the organization, and guidance you provided us with while on the trip. We’d be aimless without you.

Martin, Tony, I am grateful for inviting us into your country and culture, taking the time to explain to us the rich and intriguing history that Vietnam had to offer.

Max, Alby, Arden, Stephen, Owen, Rhys, Emma, Ella, Tori, Miriam, Megan, Matilda, Maria, Mehar, Zali, Gaby, Lilah, Isabella, and Zoe. I am grateful for your company, and being able to traverse, and explore Vietnam with you all. I really wouldn’t want any other group.

Awardee Reflection - Alby Bradshaw

 

MORE THAN JUST A TRIP

When I first stepped foot in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, I was instantly shocked by this incredible place. Little did I know that this country would just keep getting better!

 

The lessons I learnt on this trip were truly life changing. Standing where the courageous ANZAC soldiers stood in Nui Dat and Long Tan was an incredibly touching feeling, as I reflected on what it would be like to stand in the same place all those years ago.

 

Through stepping in the footsteps and learning about historic battles such as Long Tan and the diggers in the Cu Chi tunnels, I was able to really identify why the ANZAC spirit is so special. The values of Mateship, Sacrifice, Courage and Resilience came to life at a very special service at Long Tan, as-well as a heart touching ANZAC service led by our RSL representative Dennis. Learning about the story of Long Tan, and after laying a flower at the memorial I felt even more inspired to live out the ANZAC values in my life, which I see as a way of paying respect to those who were knocked down in war, living those values to the fullest.

 

The biggest lesson I learnt from this trip is to be grateful for what we have. After visiting an orphanage and seeing children living with disabilities and a very difficult lifestyle, I have never been more thankful for the life that I am lucky enough to live. I bought along a bunch of AFL footballs to give to the children at the orphanage. I knew this would be an awesome feeling but I never thought it would make me feel the way I did. As I gave one of the children named Nam his very own football, I was instantly touched by the look of pure joy and gratitude in his eyes. It meant the world to him, and although I taught him how to kick a footy, he taught me the most important lesson of being grateful for everything in my life.

 

I am incredibly grateful for my loving family and friends, my safe home and country, my bodies ability to play sport and have fun, safe food and water, and the incredible ANZACs who persevered through such challenging times to give us the life we are all so lucky to live in Australia.

 

I am very thankful for the amazing opportunity I have had to experience this trip with such amazing people. Thank you to all the other awardees for making this trip so memorable. Thank you to Aaron, Tracy, Adam, Lara, Rebecca, Martin our tour guide and Dennis our veteran for your amazing support throughout the trip, to make it such an incredible experience for us all. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to explore and learn about such amazing things with.

Awardee Reflection - Megan Allen

From the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh to the peaceful shores of Ha Long Bay, this experience was one of a lifetime.

It feels generic to say, that it is one of the best experiences of my life.

Beginning the trip in Adelaide airport - meeting people that I have seen once before- was extremely confronting. Through our time in Vietnam, I now know that these were some of the best people, I will ever have the privilege to meet. Everyone was unique, but we all shared the same special interest in history. 

This trip allowed me to see a completely different world, but also to feel safe and protected. Karaoke on the bus, playing cards, crawling through tunnels, and climbing lots and lots of stairs, all made me see the bigger picture. I began this trip with very little knowledge of Vietnam both as a war and country, but left with a whole new aspect of it. The War Remnants Museum, Nui Dat, and the Cu Chi tunnels all made me see the war in a completely different light. 

Before I left for Vietnam, Bernard Lyle Smith, was just another story. He was another person who unfortunately lost his life, fighting for his country. This was until I looked down on the bunker at Nui Dat. Just looking at the land, I would have seen nothing special, but then I realized - this man who fought so hard for his country, died not far from this very spot. Everything was real then. 

I have been extremely privileged to take part in this trip.  Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. 

Sticky Rice, Martin Family!

Awardee Reflection - Maria LaMontagna

 

The 2024 ANZAC Spirit School Prize study tour to Vietnam is currently among my most treasured life events. 

This trip was more than just a journey across Vietnam; it was a profound learning experience packed into a short span of time. Through exploring the vibrant cities, historical sites, and engaging with the local people, I gained a deep appreciation for the rich culture and resilient spirit of Vietnam. 

Moreover, standing in the footsteps of the ANZACs at sites like Vung Tau and Long Tan, I was reminded of the immense sacrifices made by these brave individuals to secure peace for future generations. It was a humbling reminder of the importance of remembrance and the enduring legacy of those who served.

However, the visit to the children's orphanage was the part of the tour that I will never forget. For many of us, seeing the conditions in which children of all ages lived was an eye-opening experience. One of the little babies, Bing, who had been in the orphanage since he was three months old, and I really connected with each other. I had the opportunity to hold Bing when we went to the orphanage.

I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our amazing tour guide Martin, his insight and knowledge into his culture and country was amazing and provided us all with an abundance of knowledge, the wonderful Adam, and Tracey for their amazing love and care over the 2 weeks, from taking us to get snacks, to our evening reflection. 

Additionally, the trip was greatly supported by teachers Rebecca, and Lara, both of their outstanding attitude and supported helped all of us push ourselves to do a variety of new and challenging tasks, the brilliant RSL Dennis, full of knowledge and insights about no just war, but life as well. Without each of their support the trip would not have been possible. 

Finally, Aaron, there is not enough words to thank him. Aaron was always there for each of us awardees, supporting and ensuring we were all okay throughout the day no matter where we were. Without Aaron and his motivation for the trip, we would not have been able to experience the wonderful sites of Vietnam.

 To all my fellow awardees, I wish each and everyone of you the best of luck for the future, may you all continue being the amazing individuals that you all are. From strangers to one big Sticky Rice family, I am glad I got to experience this once in a lifetime opportunity with you all.