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Member for Swan Hill, Peter Walsh, is encouraging students in Year 9 and Year 10 to participate in the Spirit of ANZAC Prize 2010/11.
The prize is once again open to students in Year 9 and Year 10 at all Victorian secondary schools.
The Spirit of ANZAC Prize aims to inspire young people to explore the ethos of the ANZACs displayed in Gallipoli and the Western Front and to reflect upon how those values apply in Victorian communities today.
“It is important that our young people have an understanding of Australian war history and of the supreme sacrifices made by servicemen and women,” Mr Walsh said.
“It is through their efforts that we now enjoy the freedom of living in the best country in the world.
“I encourage every young Australian to strive to visit Gallipoli and other historic Australian war time sites – the Spirit of ANZAC Prize provides a wonderful opportunity to do this.”
In 2009, Charlton student Jessica Pocklington was an award recipient.
Entries can be a research essay, audio or visual artwork, creative writing or web-based or video presentation.
10 recipients will participate in a study tour, centred on Gallipoli in the first term school holidays in 2011.
All entries will be assessed by regional panels before 27 state finalists are interviewed by a central panel in December 2010 to select the final 10 students. Entries close on Friday 8 October 2010.
For further information and entry forms go to www.veterans.vic.gov.au or email veterans@dpcd.vic.gov.au.