The Minns Labor Government has today announced that up to 18 students from across NSW have the opportunity to be selected to participate in a study tour visiting historic sites in Greece and Crete relating to Australia's military service during the Second World War.
The Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) is a wonderful opportunity for high school history students to deepen their understanding of Australians at war and gain a richer appreciation of the courage and sacrifice of the nation's servicemen and servicewomen over the generations.
Locations in Greece include the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Phaleron, the Hellenic War Museum, and the battlefields of Thermopylae and Thebes.
In Crete, the tour will visit sites such as the 6th Australian Division Memorial at Stavromenos, the battlefields of Rethymno, the Melame Memorial and the Souda Bay War Cemetery.
Two PAMS 2025 recipients reflected on their tour to the Republic of Korea and Singapore last year which they said was life changing.
Scarlett Sheridan from Green Point Christian College reflected that the tour was one of the greatest honours of her life, opening her eyes to the sacrifices made by veterans around the world.
Flynn Greenow from Narrabeen Sports High School said he felt a profound sense of connection while standing on the historic battlefields visited during the tour.
The 2026 tour will take place in the Term 3 school holidays departing on Saturday, 26 September and returning to Sydney on Thursday 8 October.
An important change has been introduced to the application process this year, requiring eligible students to submit a five-minute multimedia presentation as part of their online application, along with a letter of recommendation from their school and a parent consent form.
Applications close on Monday, 9 March 2026. For more information and to apply visit: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship/
Minister for Veterans David Harris said:
"The PAMS tour presents a unique opportunity for students from all over New South Wales, and I highly recommend that History and Modern History students in Year 10 and Year 11 consider applying.
"Through this scholarship, recipients will have the opportunity to visit historic sites across Greece and Crete that experienced the conflict firsthand - walking in the footsteps of the Australians who served and honouring their legacy at the very battlefields where their bravery was defined.
"More than 17,000 Australians served in the Greece and Crete campaigns of 1941, standing in defence against advancing German forces. Close to 600 made the ultimate sacrifice, with many more wounded and thousands taken as prisoners of war.
"Their courage and resilience remain an enduring part of our national story, and a lasting bond between Australia and Greece.
"The Minns Labor Government is proud to continue to support this fantastic program and the extraordinary legacy of veterans."
Scarlett Sheridan, PAMS 2025 Scholar fromGreen Point Christian College said:
"Finding out I'd received a PAMS scholarship was one of the greatest honours I've ever received. It opened my mind to the sacrifices veterans around the world have made.
"Being a PAMS scholar has deepened my understanding of the sacrifice veterans make and the importance of keeping their stories alive. Hearing a Korean veteran thank us for our country's service will stay with me forever and I am committed to playing my part in honouring all those who have served.
"I was blessed to make lifelong friends and mentored by incredible teachers. Every day offered a new experience."
Flynn Greenow, PAMS 2025 Scholar from Narrabeen Sports High School said:
"There is a surreal sense of deep connection found amongst the battlefields on which Australians fought and died to protect, which I would struggle to grasp without PAMS.
"Making new friends while experiencing new cultures and learning about Australian military history, which is often overlooked in curriculum discussions, is an experience I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life."
