Camperdown students had a trip of a lifetime sharing their passion for war history with like-minded teens from around Victoria.
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Mercy Regional College students Erin McLean and Patrick Ryan won separate trips through the The Spirit of ANZAC Prize.
Erin, 17, wrote a short story about the Vietnam War’s impact on a returned soldier and his family, while Pat made a stop-motion film about the building of the Great Ocean Road, as a project to rehabilitate returned World War I soldiers.
The pair were rewarded for their efforts with a trip to Canberra and Darwin and Singapore respectively as part of a Victorian government initiative.
Erin’s highlight included a visit to the Australian War Memorial where a statue of Australian World War I military commander Sir John Monash was unveiled. Erin was selected to lay a wreath at the ceremony which was held on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel, which she described as special.
She also visited the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, Parliament House and old Parliament House. “It was a good trip all round, learning about history and building on leadership skills,” Erin said. “It was a great experience. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to apply.”
Patrick, 16, said his trip was a positive experience and he learnt new things with others who had similar interests.
“My favourite place would be the army barracks at Darwin then we went to all the war memorials in Singapore and touristy places. It was pretty cool,” he said.
Humanities teacher Tania Bruckner said it was a great opportunity for the students.
She said year nine and ten students chose to enter and much of the work was done in their own time. “It’s a real commitment from them, they’re obviously passionate about it,” Mrs Bruckner said.
She said the students spoke with veterans who shared their stories. “The kids have said how powerful it is to have those people as mentors on the trip. I think it means a lot to the veterans that kids are still learning about it and they take those stories on.”