Larissa wins spot on Anzac study tour

WANDANA Heights student Larissa Zanardo will represent the Geelong region and Victoria on an overseas study tour to learn about the service and sacrifices of Australia’s veterans.

Last week, Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney announced the Sacred Heart College student would join the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize tour in 2018.

Since 2014, the prize has sent 240 Victorian students to locations including Lemnos, the Western Front, Singapore and Darwin.

This year, 42 students won their place on the 2018 tours by submitting entries that considered the impact of war on Australian society.

Larissa is one of 22 students who will head to Darwin and Singapore in April, joined by three teachers, two veterans and Victorian MP Frank McGuire.

The 10-day itinerary will include the Darwin Military Museum, Fort Hill Wharf, Lim Bo Seng Memorial, Changi Chapel and the Kranji War Memorial.

“The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize is a special opportunity for our kids to spread their wings and learn about a time in our history that shaped our nation,” Ms Tierney said.

“I congratulate Larissa and our Victorian delegation – you will come away from this experience with a rich understanding of Australia’s military history and a deeper respect for those who serve their country, past and present.

“All Victorian students should understand the sacrifice our veterans made and appreciate the decisive moments in our history. The Spirit of Anzac Prize is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I encourage all year 9 and 10 students across the region to consider applying for the next tour.”

Alongside the overseas study tour, 20 students will take part in a Canberra study tour during the first week of the term 2 holidays.

Accompanied by two teachers, the group will visit key sites of national significance such as Parliament House, the Museum of Australian Democracy, the National Archives of Australia and the Australian Defence Force Academy.

For more details on the 2018/19 Spirit of Anzac Prize or to apply, head to dpc.vic.gov.au/soap.