Get in now for centenary celebrations

Queensland secondary students are being given the chance of a lifetime with the opportunity to be part of the Centenary of Anzac celebrations in Gallipoli next year.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said entries for the 2015 Premier’s Anzac Prize opened today and students from all school sectors should apply.

“We made a $1 million commitment at the election to give 50 students the chance to go to Gallipoli, but thanks to an extra allocation of places from the Federal Government, we’re delivering double that number,” Mr Langbroek said.

“That includes seventy Queensland students and 10 chaperones next year to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Anzac landings.

“The Premier’s Anzac Prize provides an unforgettable educational experience which helps ensure important lessons of the past are learned and that Queenslanders keep the Anzac spirit alive.” 

Mr Langbroek said all Year 8 to 11 students could now enter the 2015 competition, which closed on 19 September 2014.

“Students have to submit an original, two to five minute multimedia presentation on how the Anzac tradition shaped our nation, why it is still important and how future generations can keep the spirit alive,” he said. 

Mr Langbroek yesterday congratulated the five 2014 Prize winners and presented them with poppies, small Australian flags and hats as they embarked on their two-week journey to the Western Front and Gallipoli.

He farewelled the students and chaperones at the Remember me: the lost diggers of Vignacourt exhibition at the Queensland Museum, which was the first stop for the Australian War Memorial’s touring collection. (Photos attached)

“This contingent will travel to Turkey, Belgium and France as last year’s winners did,” he said. 

Queenslanders can follow their journey online as well as read reports and see inspiring tour photos and footage at http://education.qld.gov.au/students/grants/scholarships/anzac/index.html 

The five winners are:

Elizabeth Gardner, Year 10, Clayfield College, Brisbane

Jamal Hammett-Ryan, Year 12, St Andrew’s Catholic College, Redlynch

Pyu San Min, Year 11, Pimlico State High School, Townsville

Mackenzie Plath, Year 11, Tannum Sands State High School, Gladstone

Tiffanie Turnbull, Year 11, Northpine Christian College, Dakabin

The two chaperones are:

Mr Michael Goodwin, Mackay North State High School

Ms Doris Haddock, Clayfield College, Brisbane

[ENDS] 20 April 2014

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652