Gerald Lynch
Two students and a teacher from Marian College in Sunshine West are heading to Turkiye after being awarded the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
Year 10 student Ruby Pearce is one of the prize recipients, along with fellow student Freshta and teacher Ian Francis.
Ruby said it is a huge honour to be a recipient.
’’Going on this study tour is an incredible opportunity to represent First Nations People, students in particular. I can’t wait to learn about Turkiye and its culture,” Ruby said.
“Winning the spirit of Anzac award was incredible and I was so excited hearing I’d actually managed to win it. I’m so grateful for the once in a lifetime experience I’ve been presented with.”
Veterans Minister Natalie Suleyman said the prize is a great opportunity for students to ”explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history and reflect on the precious freedoms we have today that we owe to the sacrifices of our veterans.”
“We are pleased to support the annual prize and winning students who will soon embark on an unforgettable journey to locations in Türkiye that hold special significance in Australia’s wartime history.”
“I want to thank each and every student who submitted projects paying tribute to the Shrine of Remembrance or other war memorials and showed their dedication to recognising the service and sacrifice of our veterans.”
The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize is an annual competition open to Victorian school students enrolled in years 9 to 12, with more than 500 students having been awarded the Prize since it began in 2005.
This year’s prize recipients will depart on their study tour during the September school holidays.
The prize winners will embark on a 10-day international study tour in September, visiting visiting significant historical sites in Istanbul and Çanakkale.
