- Premier's Anzac Prize 2026 has been awarded to students from across Queensland, including regional centres of Roma and Warwick.
- Eight Queensland secondary school students will travel to Europe to learn about World War 1 and Australia's rich Anzac legacy.
- Prize recipients will visit memorial sites, war museums and attend the Anzac Day dawn service in France.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a once-in-a-lifetime experience to secondary school students from across Queensland by awarding them the 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize.
The Prize encourages recipients to discover Australia's rich Anzac legacy and walk in the footsteps of fallen soldiers at historic war sites in the United Kingdom and on the Western Front in Belgium and France.
The journey of a lifetime concludes at the significant Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux in France.
As part of the $21.9 billion 2025-26 Education Budget, the Premier's Anzac Prize helps to deliver a world-class education to students.
Premier David Crisafulli congratulated the eight students and two teachers for receiving the 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize.
"I am proud young Queenslanders have such a passion for our rich military history, and for understanding the Anzac legacy," Premier Crisafulli said.
"We owe the Anzacs a debt of gratitude for their service and it's vital that our young Queenslanders learn about their legacy.
"This important journey will help students develop a greater appreciation for their sacrifices.
"I wish all Anzac Prize winners the very best for their travels and I hope they return with a lifelong respect and appreciation for our servicemen and women."
Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek, who first initiated the tour in 2013 when serving as Education Minister then, said the Premier's Anzac Prize gives students a chance to engage with the Anzac tradition first-hand.
"Education extends well beyond the classroom and this prize provides a unique opportunity for students to bring their history lessons to life," Minister Langbroek said.
"Before their trip, the students will research the Anzac spirit and delve into the service records of Queenslanders who sacrificed their lives during World War 1.
"I know our outstanding young students will return with stories they will treasure for a lifetime."
Bundaberg State High School student Seth Johnson said he was proud to receive the 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize as a First Nations person with a lineage of family members who served in the military.
"I decided to make my submission about the Aboriginal and South Sea Islanders from the Bundaberg region who served in World War 1, and the impact and legacy that they influenced in Bundaberg and Queensland," Seth said.
"I cannot wait to learn and research more, honour the legacies of the ANZACs, and to pay my respects and honour the soldiers at Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day."
Student Lara Santo from Assumption College at Warwick said the Premier's Anzac Prize represents more than a study tour.
"This is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of heroes, such as my great grandfather who fought on the Western Front," Lara said. "Connecting with my heritage and visiting incredibly sacred historical sites will allow me to deepen my understanding and be able to share knowledge with my community and school."
RSL Queensland State President Major General Stephen Day DSC AM said it was important to help young people understand how service people from past conflicts contributed to making Australia what it is today.
"With the ANZAC spirit forged more than a century ago, this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage allows students to gain a more profound understanding of the commitment and sacrifices of veterans and their families," MAJGEN Day said.
"We are honoured to be able to continue our partnership with the Queensland Department of Education and support the invaluable opportunity this Prize provides for young people across the state."
The Premier's Anzac Prize includes travel costs for the two-week trip in April 2026, along with a two-day workshop for Young Historians at the State Library of Queensland.
RSL Queensland has sponsored the Premier's Anzac Prize since 2019, with the State Library of Queensland and Queensland Museum also joining as supporters.
The 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize student recipients are:
Clayton Reddan Roma State College
Dakota-Lily Cullen-Chambers Upper Coomera State College
Georgia White Maryborough State High School
Isaiah Howell Bowen State High School
Jessica Hawkins Moreton Bay College
Kurt Lane St Michael's College, Merrimac
Lara Santo Assumption College, Warwick
Seth Johnson Bundaberg State High School
The 2026 teacher chaperones are:
Courtney Trost Ferny Hills State School
Jake Hartland Marsden State High School
