Students have the chance of a lifetime to embrace the ANZAC spirit
A group of 12 school students from Western Australia, who are passionate about the history of Anzac Day, have the chance to visit Gallipoli next year.
Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan today encouraged students in Years Eight to 11, with an interest in the ANZAC experience, to apply for the 2009 ANZAC Student Tour before Friday, August 1.
"Nominations are now open and the successful students will be named on Remembrance Day in November to be part of this amazing tour," Mr McGowan said.
"The students will be ambassadors for WA and help continue the ANZAC tradition when they return to their schools and communities.
"The annual tour, which includes tours to World War I battlefields in Gallipoli or France, is part of the State Government's commitment to enshrine ANZAC Day as a day of primary importance to all Western Australians."
Students need to write an essay of up to 1,000 words about the development of ANZAC Day as a commemorative event of significance to both Australia and WA.
Students who proceed to the next phase of the competition will have to prepare a five minute speech based on their essay.
"Students on this year's tour are now in France and will be going to the first Dawn Service to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the liberation of the French village of Villers Bretonneux on April 25, 1918," the Minister said.
Application forms, which will also be available from schools at the start of Term Two, are available at http://www.det.wa.edu.au/ANZAC.