Unlike any place I had ever seen in my life.

Image above: Ha Long Bay at sunrise on 13 October 2017



A journal extract from 2017 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize student Alicia Crowhurst  about our visit to Ha Long Bay on 13 October 2017.


I looked up at the stars and realised how all aspects of the trip had changed my life.

We were told how, during the Vietnam War, HaLong Bay was somewhat of a ‘haven’, a place of peace and serenity so close to the combat taking place in the unpredictable Vietnamese terrain. Having witnessed the bay at its prime- particularly at sunrise (as displayed in the picture) I was able to experience this ‘haven’, its peace and its utmost beauty.

HaLong Bay was unlike any place I had ever seen in my life. Upon arrival, there appeared to be hundreds of islands floating effortlessly on the flat horizon. As we further ventured out to sea, the environment proved to be even more magical as we weaved through the towering rocks whilst gliding through the clear water on our cruise. We spent the afternoon/ evening playing Volleyball, swimming, fishing for squid and of course, feasting. At six o’clock, we witnessed the amazing carving of fruit, ate dinner and then had our final group meeting. Here, we were able to reflect not only on the culture, past, and present of Vietnam- but also on our researched World War 1 soldiers/nurses and our researched Vietnam Veterans.

We mentioned them, the men and women who risked their lives in the pursuit of protecting their country and ultimately each other. As we payed our respects and fulfilled a minute of silence, I looked up at the stars and realised how all aspects of the trip had changed my life; from the researching of Jessie Wakefield in the Goolwa History room to trying the ‘Barrack Obama soup’ in Hanoi. The trip has not only enhanced my gratitude for Australian soup, but also for my family, friends, the opportunities I am provided with and the country I am so blessed to live in. This small yet impacting moment had immense effect on me, as well as the prior 12 days of the trip when I visited post battlefields and war bases, walked and danced in the tropical rain, may or may not have lost my prescription sunglasses, developed relationships with Vietnamese children, bartered in markets/ shops and developed lifelong friendships with others on the trip.

Every unknown corner in the dark

Image above: Lily going down a tunnel at Cu Chi.

A journal extract from 2017 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize student Lily Bright  about our visit to the Cu Chi Tunnells on 4 October 2017.


I soon realised how truly terrifying it would have been

During the trip to Vietnam I had the most amazing time and I will never forget all of the fond memories I have of those action filled two weeks.  I made so many lifelong friends and experienced so many incredible things during the trip, learning life skills and gaining so much knowledge. I found it extremely hard to choose just one photograph from the trip as there are so many I could have chosen from with all of the amazing activities we participated in.

Something I really enjoyed on the trip was visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels where the soldiers used to live, fight and hide. I loved walking through all the snaking tunnels and networks which were so cleverly constructed. It was amazing to see that as we walked through the tunnels there were other tunnels which went off in different directions and that the area the tunnels covered was so large in comparison to what we actually saw. It was good that we got to experience things the soldiers did, like crouching down and shuffling through the enclosed tunnels, mosquitoes and the tropical climate which proved to be hot and humid, making us sweat and soaking through our clothes. The soldiers would have also experienced this, while wearing long and heavy clothes, weaponry and essential supplies. After going through the tunnels I soon realised how truly terrifying it would have been to be forced to go down and live in the tunnels for days, weeks or even months at a time, as I thought only a few minutes was bad enough. Just imagining how the soldiers would have felt as we walked through the tunnels was eye opening. They would have stumbled around in the dark, not knowing who or what was around the corner because they did not have flashlights from phones like we did. Every corner the soldiers turned would have been terrifying, not knowing who was ready to fire at them or what trap was set to viciously kill. I believe soldiers that lived, fought and hid in these tunnels were so courageous and heroic.  

How the Vietnam War drowns out their otherwise rich history

Image above: A wet and deserted Hoi An early in the morning.


Some thoughts from 2017 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize student Josh Loxton on his learning from the tour.


I never really understood how they lived or their religious ideas until this trip

I learnt so much about the Vietnamese culture or South-East Asian culture in general. I never really understood how they lived or their religious ideas until this trip and now I look at this part of the world a lot differently. I learnt about the Viet Cong and their tactics and how they dominated the war with the understanding of the environment and their knowledge of jungle warfare. As well as learning their point of view, I also learnt more about the United States goal and their motives behind the war. I found out how much history Vietnam has beyond its colonialism period, and how the Vietnam War drowns out their otherwise rich history. Obviously there were many other things that I learnt but this was just to name a few.

I saw so many things on this trip that I've never seen before so it was difficult finding just one photo that captures everything. The picture above that I chose only captures a tiny part of what Vietnam is like but it was probably one of the best pictures I've taken on the trip. I think it captures the scenery of Hoi An nicely and the empty streets early in the morning. Other than that it's just another picture.

I will never forget the way his face lit up

Image above: Anh at the Song Cau Primary School holding the stationary packs we gave all the students in the school - thanks to the fund raising conducted by the 2017 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize students.

A journal extract from 2017 Premier's ANZAC Spirit School Prize student Hannah Zerk. An extract about our visit to the Trung Tâm Công tác Xã Hội Tỉnh BRVT Orphanage School and the Song Cau Primary school in the Phuoc Tuy Province on 4 October, 2017.




I will never forget the way his face lit up


"We visited an orphanage that Tim Fisher help build. He was a Vietnam Vet and later Australia’s Acting Prime Minister. The orphanage was particularly eye opening for me, I know I have and will say this heaps but I have a family that looks after and care for me and all these kids have is their friends and their carers and I have so much more. Family really is everything. It made me stop and think about how lucky I really am. I may not have everything that I have always wanted but I have a family and to me that is everything. I gave two teddy bears to a girl by the name of Mai, she was very shy. She was extremely cute and I do feel for her.

We arrived at the Song Cau Primary School and what can I say? I will never complain about school again. The schoolyard was very small and basic. We walked into the first classroom and it made me realise how good we really have it. It was much like the school you would find in our local museum. The classroom had wooden tables and chairs. They had a blackboard and no lights. Do not be deceived, despite having hardly anything these children were so happy. We gave the children each a package and the girl I gave it to said 'cam on' which means thank you. The next classroom we went to I met a boy called Anh. I will never forget him. I did the chicken dance with him and his little giggle was infectious. Although Anh spoke little English it did not stop him from trying to communicate with me. I could hardly understand him but a smile is universal.  I gave him his present and I will never forget the way his face lit up when I gave it to him. I could tell that this was not just a simple package to him, it was everything. We went to the next classroom and sang kookaburra sits in the old gumtrees. They sang a song back to us and it was extremely cute. Once again our goodbyes were said and we moved along to the next classroom. I sat next to a shy little girl. I must admit I found it hard to communicate with these children but I will never forget how happy these kids were despite having hardly anything."

Airports and farewells on the last day

A last walk around Hanoi and then to the airport for the trip home. Thanks for the memories everyone - what a great bunch of students.

Joining in with the locals.

Early morning happy exercise in the park.

Last group photograph of early morning walkers - putting on a show!

View over Hanoi from the restaurant at the Boss Legend Hotel - great name for a hotel.

 Hanoi airport - looking the part.

Six hours in Singapore airport!

All the best for the future from the teaching team (plus Kendal) on the tour.

To Ha Long Bay and back

The pictures say it all!! What a magnificent few days and overall trip.  Now ready to fly home tomorrow!

Checking out where pearls come from.

Relaxing on the boat.

At the top of the hill.  What a climb!

Swimming at the beach.

Watching the sunrise at 5.45am.

Beautiful Ha Long Bay as the sun rises.

Amazing caves.

Really!!

Doing some geography in the padi.

Back in Hanoi.

End of trip dinner.

Hanoi day with Ho Chi Minh

Our day in Hanoi started at 6am with an amazing walk around the peaceful lake near our hotel and meeting happy people exercising and  ... joining in with the laughing exercise! If we only knew what they were laughing about? 
After breakfast we visited the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, his residence and an excellent museum on the life of Ho Chi Minh. We also dropped into the ancient university in Hanoi and learnt about Confucianism. After an amazing lunch we visited the Hanoi prison ('Hanoi Hilton').  Still raining!!!

The lake, exercise and new friends.

The group in front of the Mausoleum for Ho Chi Minh.

Inside the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

Students graduating at the Ancient University in Hanoi.

Patting the turtle for good luck in studies.

Outside the 'Hanoi Hilton' prison.

A trip to the restaurant in a bicycleshaw?