Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize 2024

THE Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize, an annual competition for Victorian students in years 9 to 12, is now open for 2024.

Run by the Office for Veterans, part of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), the prize encourages students to delve into Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history.

This year, the competition coincides with Türkiye’s centenary of independence, offering students a unique opportunity to explore the significant historical ties between Australia and Türkiye.

Recipients of this year’s prize will embark on a study tour of Türkiye, including a visit to Gallipoli, where the Anzac legend, symbolising courage, endurance, and mateship, was born on 25 April 1915.

The competition topic for this year asks students to explore the significance of Victoria’s Shrine of Remembrance or a local community’s war memorial in honouring Australians who have served in war and peacekeeping. Submissions can be in various formats, including essays, artwork, videos, audio recordings, music, webpages, or poems.

Past winner Claudia Talon reflected on her experience: “Going through the fields and across the coastland where today it is unrecognisable … it’s so beautiful now and you can’t imagine it was a complete wasteland 100 years ago.”

Since its inception in 2005, the program has received over 4,000 applications and has awarded more than 500 students the opportunity to join fully funded study tours to significant war heritage sites.

DFFH is also seeking expressions of interest from teachers who would like to chaperone the study tour, with all expenses covered.

The competition topic, how to apply, and details about the study tour are available on the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize 2024 webpage. Applications are open until 5 pm on Monday, 29 April.