Minister for Education Grace Grace has met with this year’s Premier’s Anzac Prize winners who are preparing for a trip of a lifetime in April.
Ms Grace said the prize recipients in grades 8-11 were participating in a two-day Young Historians’ Workshop at the State Library of Queensland ahead of their trip to the Western Front.
"This workshop is a critical part of the Anzac Prize experience, as it provides the students a hands-on opportunity to take a close look at precious First World War collection items such as letters, diaries and photographs," Ms Grace said.
"It’s always wonderful to meet with our budding historians and to hear their perspectives on our Anzac traditions and stories."
Ms Grace said being selected as an Anzac Prize winner required students to research and commemorate three service people who served in Australian conflicts from World War 1 onwards.
"This research project gives the students an opportunity to connect with the Anzac tradition in a personal way by researching and writing about service people from their local area, or who may have enlisted at the same age as they are," Ms Grace said.
"The Premier’s Anzac Prize is a fantastic program which has been running since 2013, providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for over 100 students."
Ms Grace said the 16-day tour kicks off on April 13, with the eight students and two teachers to attend a dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.
"I’m excited to announce that in 2019, two exciting events have been added to the itinerary for our students and chaperones," Ms Grace said.
"The group will visit the Naours Caves in Northern France, which contain the largest-known collection of First World War graffiti and signatures of up to 2,000 Australian soldiers.
"The group have also been invited to attend a Cobber’s night event – a celebration of the contribution by the Anzacs to the liberation of Fleurbaix from the Germans in World War 1.
"I’d like to wish the students and chaperones the best of luck on their journey."
