Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:15): On Friday 6 June on behalf of the Minister for Veterans' Affairs I attended the launch of the 2015 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize and met with the tour recipients of the 2014 prize: Tenae Kear, Emma Hamilton, Joel McDonough, Wendy Matson, Amy Watson, Lucy Brown and Bridget Herrmann. It was at the Torrens Parade Ground, and I presented the Premier today with their tour album and I want to put some of their remarks on record.

Tenae told us that on behalf of the tour group she would like to say a big thank you to the Premier, the RSL, Ms Bev Smart, Mr Robin Aukett, Mr David Everitt, Ms Jacqui Marano, the education department and everyone who helped make the trip such a beautiful experience. She said:

It is a great program and we hope it continues for years to come…For this project we were asked to research a South Australian soldier who served in Pacific theatres of war. I chose my great, great uncle Bob. The hardest part was fitting his story into a short video while still doing him justice…Entries were sent in by the schools and a selected few were then interviewed, which was nerve racking but everyone was very supportive.

Students got a life-changing phone call from Ms Bev Smart telling them that they were lucky recipients. Tenae continued:

We were given a few orientation days prior to the trip to meet everybody, and none of us spoke, we were all so shy. Now, I have ended up with six new best friends! I've found mateship. We've learnt that without service men and women we wouldn't have the life we have today.

Emma said:

On arrival at Changi Airport, we were introduced to the humidity of the garden city of Singapore…During our six days in the lion city, the group was not only learning about history but about each other…The Singapore experience was amazing, from the eye opening memories at the Old Ford Factory to the sites and sounds of Kampong Glam, Little India and Chinatown. From visiting places of historical significance in Singapore, our perspectives on the Fall of Singapore were completely changed…Changi Prison and museum brought honour and understanding to our view of the civilians and Prisoners of War through the stories and recollections of experiences in Singapore at the time. The Kranji War Graves was a main factor in bringing home the reality of the multitude of soldiers that fought and died in Singapore. Each gravestone or name on the memorial represented one soldier and one family…We chose to find some South Australians' graves.

Joel told us:

Out of honour, we also sought out Private Breavington's grave, the Australian whose company was captured and taken to Changi, so he pleaded with the Japanese officials that the troops should be released…

He was executed. It was up to him that the command was given. Unfortunately he was killed first and the whole company made to watch. Joel continued:

Singapore was a life changing experience that inspired us and challenged us with every step of the journey…We learnt to value the sacrifice of those in World War 2 with a newfound passion to inform others about the Fall of Singapore.

Wendy told us that Seoul was a very industrial city with a unique Asian culture. Due to the tension between North and South Korea, the most prominent aspect of the country was the constant presence of the military. Their first activity in Korea was an official incense burning ceremony where they met Korean War veterans for the first time. They then visited the Korean War Museum where they spoke with veterans who were delighted to speak to interested young people. They had a Korean cooking class and they all wore national dress.

Amy said that after visiting a fabric and food market and then the majestic Korean Palace, they headed to the most exciting destination, the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ). Along the barbed wire of the river, South Koreans left touching ribbons and flags with messages of peace and freedom, and hoping for reunification. They then joined the veterans' bus on the bridge over to the military base and were officially in the DMZ.

At the Conference Row, watched by North Korean soldiers, they stepped inside the UN buildings, half in North Korea and half in South Korea, and had the opportunity to cross the border. After learning so much about past military conflicts, being in a working military base was a real marvel.

Lucy said that another highlight of their trip to South Korea was visiting Kapyong, located 60 miles from Seoul. They attended two extremely moving services: the first commemorated the UN forces from New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK, who fought in what is now known as the Battle of Kapyong; the second service was a more personal experience, recognising the bravery and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand troops.

Bridget went on to say that the Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize had been an incredible journey for all of them. The preparation was as rewarding as the tour. They were fortunate to meet and befriend the soldiers they researched. From being unsure about how to approach veterans, they began to understand their stories and see the impact they had on them, and it was a great experience.

The Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize taught everyone so much about international culture, Australian identity and the impact of war and, most of all, they found themselves discovering truly the ANZAC spirit. From these testimonials, I think you can see, sir, how important this prize is. I hope all members here will encourage their schools to take part in this year's competition. I wish all the students at all our schools well because it is a very worthwhile project.