Local teenager’s poem wins Spirit of Anzac Prize

A SECONDARY school student from the Bellarine has been awarded the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.

Year 10 Saint Ignatius College student Owen McCoughtry was one of 12 Victorian students announced as a recipient at a presentation ceremony at Parliament House last week.

“It was the first time I’d been in Parliament House, so we’re very privileged to be in there and it was great to been the other students,” Owen said.

Entries explore the significance of Victoria’s Shrine of Remembrance or a local community war memorial, honouring Australian’s who served in war and peacekeeping.

Students were able to make submissions in a range of formats including an essay, audio or video presentation, musical composition, artwork,and others.

Owen’s entry took the form of a poem, exploring the significance of the Drysdale Cenotaph and the individuals commemorated.

He chose to enter the competition seeing it as a chance to research the local Drysdale Cenotaph.

“As the third generation of my family living in Drysdale it was an opportunity to experience new cultures and places, learn more about Anzac and World War II,” he said.

As part of the prize the 12 students, accompanied by three teacher chaperones, will travel to Türkiye in the September school holidays for a 10-day study tour.

During their international tour the group will visit historical sites in Istanbul and Canakkale where they will learn about the actions of those who fought in the Gallipoli campaign.

Minister for Veterans Natalie Suleyman said the government was pleased to support the annual prize and the winning students who will soon embark on an unforgettable journey.

“The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize is an incredible opportunity for Victorian Students to explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history and reflect on the precious freedoms we have today that we owe to the sacrifices of our veterans.”

The group of winners comes from across the state, including from metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, First Nations students and those from diverse multicultural communities and backgrounds.

The annual competition is open to all Victorian school students in years nine to 12, more than 500 students have been awarded the prize since it began in 2005.