The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA084
Friday, 29 August 2008
SA AND WA SCHOOLS TAKE OUT TOP HONOURS
Winners also from every state and territory
The experience of fighting along the Kokoda Track and the stories of those lost on the battlefields
of the First World War have inspired two school projects winning the 2008 Anzac Day Schools’
Awards, the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin announced today.
Mr Griffin said this year’s awards were all of a very high standard, demonstrating young
Australians’ appreciation of our wartime history. Eighteen schools shared in $22,000 prize money
with WA’s Rosalie Primary School winning the National Primary School award, and SA’s Eudunda
Area School taking out the National Secondary School award.
“I was impressed by the effort and thought put into the entries and I congratulate all students and
teachers involved in the competition for their creativity and clear interest in our wartime history,”
Mr Griffin said.
Rosalie Primary School students researched the experience of Australian soldiers who fought
along the Kokoda Track. As part of their study, students completed a trek on a re-created Kokoda
Track in Kings Park, Perth. They also organised a dawn service attended by more than 800
people.
Eudunda Area School students researched the war records of 27 First World War soldiers
commemorated on the Eudunda Memorial. After piecing together information on a chosen
soldier, students produced the Eudunda’s Lost Sons booklet, which raised funds for the Eudunda
RSL.
“Text books can only cover so much about Australia’s wartime history. The effort of these schools
to find meaningful ways to learn the history and significance of Anzac Day is impressive.
“I encourage all schools to enter the awards next year so the experiences of our veteran
community will continue to be passed on to future generations,” Mr Griffin said.
The Anzac Day Schools’ Awards is funded under the Australian Government’s Saluting Their
Service Commemorations program.
For more information on the awards or how to enter visit
Editor’s note: Schools in every state and territory have won prizes – a full list is attached.
Media inquiries: Aaron Jobsz 0439 043 613
The VVCS – Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
on 1800 011 046.
To receive the Minister’s media releases automatically by email please go to minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
2008 ANZAC DAY SCHOOLS’ AWARDS STATE WINNERS - SECONDARY SCHOOLS
STATE
$PRIZE
Eudunda Area School (and National winner)
SA
$3000
Australian Technical College – North Queensland
QLD
$1000
Port Macquarie High School
NSW
$1000
Stromlo High School
ACT
$1000
St Joseph’s College
VIC
$1000
Reece High School
TAS
$1000
St John’s College
NT
$1000
Merredin Senior High School
WA
$1000
2008 ANZAC DAY SCHOOLS’ AWARDS STATE WINNERS - PRIMARY SCHOOLS
STATE
$PRIZE
Rosalie Primary School (and National winner)
WA
$3000
Mater Dei Primary School
QLD
$1000
New Lambton Public School
NSW
$1000
Curtin Primary School
ACT
$1000
Girton Grammar School
VIC
$1000
St Leonards Primary School
TAS
$1000
Compton Primary School
SA
$1000
Larrakeyah Primary School
NT
$1000
2008 ANZAC DAY SCHOOLS’ AWARDS
NATIONAL WINNERS SPECIAL CATEGORY
STATE
$PRIZE
Best innovative activity undertaken by students
Albuera Street Primary
School, TAS
$500
Best local history research undertaken by students
Merredin Senior High School,
WA
$500
Best veteran and community involvement organised by students
Star of the Sea College, VIC
$500
Best use of technology by students
Larrakeyah Primary School,
NT
$500
Total prize money = $22,000
NEWS 
