ANZAC spirit close to students’ hearts
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ANZAC spirit close to students’ hearts

One Nagle College student will embark on a trip of a lifetime in March, when she travels to Gallipoli as part of the Victorian Government’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize.

Year 11 student, Angelina Clancy, will become the third Nagle College representative to visit Gallipoli and the Western Front, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today, following on from student Brianna Janson’s trip two years ago and teacher Julie Henley’s visit last year.

Meanwhile, fellow student Roni Corby has received the chance to join the Canberra tour through the same program, representing Victoria to visit the Australian War Memorial in June.

“It’s a great experience for both of these girls to get a taste of Australia’s war history just over 100 years on from the landing on the Gallipoli shores,” Mr Bull said.

The students were selected after submitting projects that reflect what the ANZAC spirit means today in a diverse and multicultural Australia.

“Both girls fully deserve these honours after their great entries that addressed the tough criteria really well, while also giving an insight of life at war,” Mr Bull said.

“Angelina also interviewed me last year as part of her submission and put together a fantastic piece,” he said.

Angelina, looking forward to her 16-day trip, said she also interviewed other people in the school and the wider community.

“I didn’t have anyone in my family who went to war so I got my best friend’s great grandfather, whose granddaughter spoke on his behalf,” she said.

“I had a diary from him and we incorporated parts from his diary and she spoke about it.”

The study group tour to Gallipoli increased from 12 to 22 places this year and Mr Bull said students would return with stories about Australia’s war history that would ensure the legacy of veterans is secure going into the future.

Mr Bull said the 2016 tour was a unique chance for year 10 and 11 students to reflect on the spirit of the Australians who gave their lives for their country.

“The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize tour group will follow in the footsteps of our World War I veterans as they visit Lemnos, Gallipoli and the Western Front,” he said.

Roni, who made her submission during year nine at Bairnsdale Secondary College last year, will be one of 20 students to visit Canberra.

Entries for the 2017 study tour are now open. Visit www.veterans.vic.gov.au for application details.