Premier welcomes home Anzac Prize winners

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today welcomed home the 2015 Premier’s Anzac Prize winners who participated in the historic Anzac Centenary commemoration at Gallipoli.

The 70 students and 10 teacher chaperones marked their return with a post-tour presentation to the Premier and Minister for Education Kate Jones at a ceremony at Parliament House.

“I congratulate the Premier’s Anzac Prize students and chaperones for the way they conducted themselves on tour, representing all Queenslanders whom they carried with them in spirit,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“Queenslanders are rightly proud of and inspired by the sacrifices of our military personnel, past and present, as shown by remarkable attendance at events across the state for the Anzac Centenary.

“The original Anzac soldiers teach us lessons from beyond the grave and despite the passage of time.

“Their example of devotion to duty, mateship, perseverance against all odds and self-sacrifice for others inspires us even today.

Ms Palaszczuk said plans were afoot to offer the opportunity to students again in the future.

“A major purpose of the Premier’s Anzac Prize is to educate future generations about the true Anzac spirit and these 70 students have shown just how well they have translated this lesson into action.

“Today these young students also presented a fundraising contribution of more than $20,000 to Mates4Mates, an organisation that supports wounded, injured and ill current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel and their families.

“I congratulate them for their efforts and all involved for their support,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Education Minister Kate Jones said that the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum would now work with a number of the 2015 tour group to showcase and document their journey.

“I encourage as many Queenslanders as possible to visit the Anzac Centenary display at the State Library from 31 July to 27 September which will include contributions from our students.

“You can also read the journal entries and view videos of the Premier’s Anzac Prize tours online at http://education.qld.gov.au/students/grants/scholarships/anzac/index.html

Further information on the Queensland Government’s Anzac Centenary events and initiatives is available at http://anzac100.initiatives.qld.gov.au/