Scars of the past will always be present, time can heal those wounds

Photographs selected by Ellen Glass as a special images from the trip to Vietnam.

The top photograph is exhibited in the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City . It shows the destruction of Agent Orange on the Vietnamese countryside.
The bottom photograph is of the vegetated area today around the former US Camp Elliot Base, known as the Rockpile in the old Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Ellen writes:

“Nature’s creative power is far beyond man’s instinct of destruction.”

Jules Verne.

I found it really difficult to settle on just one photo for this reflection. There were so many moments captured throughout this trip that serve as reminders for everything from the extraordinary people who made our experience so enjoyable to the incredibly emotional and significant reminders of this country’s dark past that we were there to experience to the developing maturity of the wonderful young people who were chosen for this once in a lifetime trip (something that we as teachers live for). But one thing I kept coming back to was the sense of awe I felt all over Vietnam when looking at the unparalleled beauty of this country’s natural landscapes, particularly after learning about the extent of the destruction inflicted upon it just over 50 years ago.

I have travelled to many former war zones and one thing that always strikes me is nature’s incredible capacity to come back from the brink of destruction and flourish if given the chance. While the above images are not of the same specific place, looking at them side by side and seeing the stark contrast of the horrific devastation of war and the tranquil beauty of nature is something I found particularly powerful on this trip. The image on the left was taken at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and is one of the countless photos depicting the destruction of the natural world caused in an instant by Agent Orange. It’s unknown where this photo is from, but in a way, that makes it more powerful. It has become a representation of the more than 22,000km² of forest and farm land destroyed by Agent Orange during the war and the millions of people who continue to be affected by its destructive power.


The bottom photograph is of the Rockpile, or Thon Khe Tri in Vietnamese; a “blink and you’ll miss it” place just south of the DMZ, but a scene of incredibly bloody and intense fighting from the US Marines intent on capturing this strategically vital vantage point and the North Vietnamese Army fighting just as bitterly to defend it. More than 1000 people on both sides lost their lives here in July-August 1966 and upon capturing it, the Americans used napalm to “clear” the landscape in order to use this place as an important base. It became a place that would have in many ways mirrored the image from the museum.

Although it was a brief stop on our tour, I was struck by the majesty of the setting, even before listening to Martin and Malcolm explain its significance. But hearing it described as being valued only for the strategic advantage it would give whoever was able to capture it and imagining the Marines battling the elements and physical exhaustion to scale up the 230m rock face in the midst of fierce NVA resistance, then stripping the land to make it viable as a military base made me question how this place could possibly have recovered to a state of such natural magnificence.

I felt this a lot during our trip and found it difficult in some places to connect the sheer beauty of what I was seeing to the horrific imagery being painted in my head when learning what happened there. Trying to make these connections fascinates me and from them, I know that while the scars of the past will always be present, time can heal those wounds. While I’ve felt this before in other places around the world, what was different about this trip was seeing this idea reflected in the Vietnamese people. Most places where I have felt this have had a century or so to heal and the locals are becoming increasingly distant from their past. But in Vietnam, the past is still very much in living memory and the scars are still forming for the people and for the country. However, if the scenery we saw and the people we met are anything to go by, the country has a bright future ahead.

It just goes to show that despite nature’s fragility, if given the opportunity, “Nature’s creative power is far beyond man’s instinct of destruction.” Jules Verne.

Thanks to all the team

Photograph of the Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize group at the top of the Cloudy Pass on the road between Danang and Hue, chosen by Bob Kearney as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.

Bob Writes

I chose this image because of all the great young people (future leaders) in it who made it so much easier for us old folks.  

Thanks to all the team for making the trip so worthwhile and enjoyable.

I am drawn to the young girl who has been captured in time

Photograph of the Luscombe Airfield in Nui Dat, chosen by Lauren Smith as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.

Lauren writes:

 It’s hard to believe that this was a scene of noise, fast-paced militarism.

In the midst of the Nui Dat countryside, along a worn out road, a little girl walks peacefully home for her midday siesta. It’s hard to believe that this was a scene of noise, fast-paced militarism.

Luscombe Airfield, Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam was built by Australian Engineers in late 1966. The airfield honoured the late Captain Bryan Luscombe, a well-known aviator who was KIA during the Korean War.

Like much of the modern-day Vietnamese landscape, this image is a stark contrast to aerial records of the airfield in 1966-67. The surroundings were dense with trees and shrubbery, the foliage an everlasting greenness that merges into jungle gullies and hills. On the outskirts, an ochre coloured dirt that would transform into a sticky glue during the monsoon season. Situated in the middle, a single grey strip with a plane that looks too big for it ready for take-off.

Today, however, is a different story. The Vietnamese, known for their recycling ability, now use this airstrip as a road within the township. Ironically, situated at the end of the runway is a primary school: a sanctuary of safety, nourishment and learning – quite different to it’s initial role some fifty years ago.

When I reflect on this photo I am drawn to the young girl who has been captured in time. She is the next generation of Vietnamese and a generation who have not directly witnessed the death, destruction and fear that her parents and grandparents would have been exposed to. Nevertheless, the ongoing ramifications of the war will continue to impact her.

She seems so innocent and untouched by the horrors of war. She walks safely across a strip that, decades earlier, aired helicopters and airplanes responsible for Vietnamese casualties and the destruction of the local environment.

Vietnam seems to be recovering and prospering and is embodying their principle of building. So too, are the population, who are reconciling as a nation as well as with their enemy (as evident in Bob’s numerous encounters). Vietnam is a happier place and it begs the question as to whether the war changed the course of Vietnamese history or merely delayed the inevitable. The country has seen many invaders and occupiers in last hundred years or so. Hopefully, the future generations can go about life without the worry of war and death like this little school girl is.

The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do

Photograph with some of the  students at the Sông Cau Primary School, chosen by Charli Medlow as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.

Charli writes:

Taking things for granted

Visiting the Sông Cau Primary School and giving the school students their packages of stationery was a very eye-opening experience for me. I found that watching the faces of the children made me realise just how much we take for granted in Australia. These kids were just so grateful; and they were so happy for the simplest things. Seeing this made me realise how much we take having new school books, pencils, art supplies and sports equipment for granted in Australia. For these kids it was like opening the Christmas present you always wanted. They were so excited to open their packages. I am sure if you gave this to a young person in Australia they would not be as excited because it is simply expected.

While helping the students open their package I was impressed with just how much more of an effort they put in connecting with us because everyone you talked to tried to talk English as much as they could.  Whereas, we as Australians really don’t put as much effort into talking another peoples language, even while visiting their county. Even the little kids attempted to communicate with us.  When they couldn’t, you simply knew how they felt because you could see on their faces how happy and grateful they were. They all had smiles so big as they pulled things out of the box.

I chose this photo as a symbol of just how much they appreciated the little things in life.  It wasn’t just the students; everyone was so appreciative for anything we gave them. I just loved how no matter what they were doing they always had the biggest smile on their face. When we gave them their packs, it made me feel so happy and privileged to be getting to do this for them, and to feel that I had made a difference to their day.

The people of Vietnam made it clearer to me about what is really important in life and that happiness isn’t all about getting what you want all the time. Happiness is really about loving what you have and being grateful for it. 

In fact, the secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.

2020 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize launched today - Remembrance Day 2020

The 2020 poster is shown above. This year the theme for the Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize is the HMAS Sydney story from World War 1. The photograph shows the crew of the HMAS Sydney off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands 10 minutes after the cease fire had been given in her battle with the German Dresden-class cruiser, SMS Emden.

HMAS Sydney is one of the most distinguished Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships of the First World War. On 9 November 1914, HMAS Sydney destroyed the famous German cruiser SMS Emden at the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean. This was the first Royal Australian Navy ship-to-ship battle, the first cruiser duel of World War 1 and involved the first Australian naval casualties of the war.

2020 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize launched

Materials are being sent to schools this week with information on the competition and application details. The question this year is:

Part A: Using a range of sources, research the experience of a South Australian service man or woman who served (Navy, Army, Airforce or Nursing) during World War 1 and/or World War 2.

(Maximum 1500 words)

Part B: The Anzac Spirit is generally considered to be comprised of courage, perseverance, mateship and resourcefulness. Using evidence drawn from your research in Part A, choose two of the characteristics of the Anzac Spirit that is shown best by the individual you researched. (Maximum 500 words)

 For all the details go to https://veteranssa.sa.gov.au/2020-premiers-anzac-spirit-school-prize/

 
Think about entering and being an historical detective and commemorating through historical research.  In 2020 the prize is a 2 week study tour to France to explore and learn about the service and sacrifice of Australians during World War 1 and 2.

Every single person laughing, truly laughing

Photograph of the Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize students joining in with the 'Happy Yoga' group on the streets of Hanoi, chosen by Elise Tutur as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.


Elise writes:

The lessons I have learned

Since the trip to Vietnam, I have had a lot of time to reflect on what I saw and experienced during the time we were away. I don’t think anything that I say will fully be able to I explain how life changing and important this experience was not only for myself, but for everyone else too.

I found it difficult to choose just a single photograph from the trip, mainly because I got emotional scrolling back through all my memories, but the photograph above - an action shot during a 6:30am Happy Yoga class outside the Trang Tien Plaza in Hanoi, on one of our last morning walks is still as clear as day in my mind. I took one look at all the laughing faces and immediately thought - this is the one! This is Vietnam! This is what I loved and this is what I will remember for a long time.

I have to admit, I was not impressed when I was told that I had to be down in the hotel lobby at 6am in the morning to go for walks in each city that we went to, but Malcolm promised that it would be one of the biggest highlights of the entire trip. And he was right.

Getting to witness the city waking up, watching the Vietnamese people already on the streets so early in the morning, carrying big baskets of fruit to their usual spots at the markets and hearing the constant laughter and chatter from large exercise groups in the park, was worth all the early mornings.

Walking through and witnessing with my own eyes the everyday lives of these people made me realise that the heart of Vietnam is the people. The community, the love and the acceptance that occurs daily is because of the people! And watching everyone in our group getting their backs massaged in the giant yoga circle on what would be our final morning walk, and seeing each and every single person laughing, truly laughing, having an amazing time - honestly, I had never felt so content, happy and at home in my life.

I have to say that these early morning experiences are a lot different to the ones we have at home. For one, I can say that I have never walked down the streets of my own hometown and seen fifty complete strangers dancing on a side walk! “It’s just not a part of our culture” someone said to me when I was explaining this photo to them. Immediately I asked, why not? What I got to stand in the middle of was communication and connection in its purest form. Something I think we have all lost sight of.

The Vietnamese were so quick to take us in, to make us one of their own and to treat us like we were a part of their family, yet we don’t seem to return that same affection. I start to think about what it is that we lack in our own community and thinking?  I don’t think we lack anything but the Vietnamese were just a lot quicker to figure out what happiness really is.

I have got to meet some of the most amazing people on this trip and have come away from this adventure with a bucket full of gratitude and appreciation for the teachers and tour guides. I am forever grateful for the lessons that I learned, not only about the history of the Vietnam War, but what it really means to be happy and to share happiness. I am thankful for war veteran Bob Kearney and the knowledge and wisdom he shared with us each day and the detailed insights that Malcolm and Martin gave us about the history of the country. Also, a massive thank you to Maddi, Lauren and Ellen for their valuable insights and sharing of knowledge.

I can assure you that the lessons we have all taken away from this trip will only guide us and lead us into bigger and better things in our future.

Just one of the gifts that our morning walks gave us each day

Photograph with some of the Hoi An walking students at 6am at the Entrance Gate of the  Ba Mu (Midwife) Temple, chosen by Malcolm McInerney as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.


Malcolm writes:


So many snapshots in time that stay with me long after I return

On the trip to Vietnam there are always so many snapshots in time that stay with me long after I return.  I always write down on the plane back to Australia these significant moments of the trip and just one of these moments I would like to share with you all. It relates to a part of the trip that happened by chance back in 2016 – the early morning walks.  What crazy people on a non-stop tour of Vietnam would get up at 5.30am to go for walk? I am happy to say, most of us! 

These walks early in the morning continue to provide many of the highlights of the trip for me. They are an opportunity to see Vietnam waking up and to experience so much that the normal tourist just does not see. We see the real Vietnamese community and lifestyle before the craziness of the day takes over. We see the buzz and smells of the food markets, the energetically alive and welcoming people in the park and on the pavements exercising (who can ever forget the Happy Yoga people), the people in the water at Vung Tau bobbing in the sea, students getting delivered to school at 6am on the back of their parents bikes and vistas and places that in the hubbub of the busy day go unnoticed to the visitor. One of the later is the image I have chosen.

The photograph was taken on our morning walk around deserted Hoi An. The night before the streets of Hoi An were packed with people looking, buying and eating. In the morning there was just the quiet streets with the sound of a few bikes buzzing around. We walked down one of the street lanes (Hai Ba Trung Street) of Hoi An and out of the corner of our eye we saw an amazing structure that we had not seen on the previous day. There were no people in the square in front of the structure except us and it made us wonder about what it was, how long had it been there and was it still important to the people of Hoi An. In fact, this by chance discovery we made is an important and ancient place, a place very significant to the people of Hoi An, and in fact across Vietnam. After having the obligatory group photograph of the nine students on the walk, we found out that this beautiful structure was one of the entrance gates to a complex of grounds and two worshipping areas known by locals as the Ba Mu (Midwife) Temple. During its years of operation the complex was known to worship a life-protecting God, 36 heavenly protectors, a goddess giving safety and wealth, and 12 midwives involved in delivering babies and keeping them from harm. Apparently Hoi An people visited the temple to ask for a peaceful life, happiness and health for their children. Amazingly the complex was built in 1626 at a different location in feudal Vietnam but then moved sometime in the 18^th Century to the present position. The temple experienced major restorations in 1848 and 1922 and was regarded as one of the most beautiful structures in Hoi An. After 1930 most of the complex was damaged by regular flooding and war, and only the entrance gate remained. In recent years the gate has been restored - the local government spent over VND5.3 billion (US$228,000) on restoring the gate and landscaping the complex to its original beauty with its elaborate designs. To us it was just a very peaceful location and beautiful structure that we had stumbled upon by chance, but to the people of Hoi An its history and significance to their religion and life is so much more. 


We were indeed lucky to see the gate and experience the peace and beauty early on a morning in Hoi An. Without our morning walk we never would have seen and experienced that peaceful place. That is just one of the gifts that our morning walks gave us each day on the trip - visions and feelings of discovery that I will always remember from the Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize tours to Vietnam. Without the painful early morning alarms we would have missed out on so much!  I feel for those poor tourists who sleep-in and waste the opportunity to discover early morning Vietnam.  We have plenty of time to sleep when we return home! 


Thanks to all the students who sacrificed their sleep for this crazy part of the trip – I hope you thought it was worthwhile and added to your learning and experiences from the trip.



Deserted Hoi An at the Japanese Bridge - another tourist area of hubbub the night before. Those not on the morning walk that day, can you imagine this scene the night before?

No matter where you are in the world, kids are kids.

Photograph with some of the students at the Sông Cầu Primary School, chosen by India Little as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.

India writes:

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face

The big smile on my face pretty much sums up the whole trip for me but one highlight was going to the school, and the whole time we spent there I couldn’t wipe that smile off my face.

I took this photo with a group of school girls whilst playing with them in the small courtyard joining their classrooms. In the outside area we managed to get into a circle with a group of children and throw the ball around to each other. Even though some of the children were shy at first they quickly came out of their shells and despite the lack of communication the smiles on all our faces were enough.   

Sitting down with the children, giving them their packs of simple school supplies and watching their faces light up with excitement was one of the best feelings. For one little boy the box that the supplies came in was more entertaining and interesting as he put it on his head, showing off to the other kids, running around being the class clown. Observing the classroom and seeing the children’s behaviour, I learnt that no matter where you are in the world, kids are kids.

I had bought from home some colourful rubber bracelets which I handed out to the children at the school. Each child’s reaction was different however they were all so grateful to receive the small simple gift. Seeing the children so happy showing their bracelets off to each other made me realise how such a small gift can bring so much joy to some.  I remember one little girl saying “thank you” to me in perfect English surprising me and making me smile. It made me so happy to think that I had left a little piece of me with these children by gifting them something so simple.

Waving the children goodbye as we left was sad to think we would never see these cheerful, welcoming people again, yet it warmed my heart knowing we had made a difference and our fundraising was worthwhile.

It is crazy to think that on the first day of arriving in Ho Chi Minh City we were all so naive and new to each other not knowing what adventure was awaiting us on the trip. Fast forward 12 days and we had become a family after experiencing this life-changing trip side by side. I will never forget the great times I had with these amazing people, singing at the back of the bus with Bob, chatting with Martin and Toni, interacting with the happy Vietnamese people and just watching the world go by out of the bus window. Not only did I gain so much more knowledge about the Vietnam War but also the country of Vietnam itself, the people and their culture all leaving me spellbound. Not many can understand the impact that this trip has had on me, except the other 15 students and teachers. I have so many special memories that I know will last a lifetime and for that I am very grateful.

To approach life with positivity, forgiveness and humour

Photograph of Bob, Shreyas and William at the back of the bus, chosen by William Wiseman as a special image from the trip to Vietnam.

William writes: 

Circle of influence

The 2019 Anzac Spirit adventure to Vietnam was a trip full of phenomenal experiences from the Long Tan service to the 3km walk up to Camp Carroll. I experienced so many memorable moments throughout this adventure but I have chosen as the highlight of the trip was listening to our special guest, Vietnam War Veteran Sergeant Robert Kearney  (Bob) talking about his life stories, real life experiences of the Vietnam War and philosophies - learning about how to approach life with positivity, forgiveness and humour.

A man that has impacted on my life for the better, a man that has changed the way I look at the meaning of my life and the way that I should approach challenges in my life. This man is a mentor, a teacher and an inspiration to me and all that shared the Anzac Spirit adventure. The qualities of this man were significant as he shared stories of his life and experiences of the Vietnam War which had a significant impact on each and every one of us. It was an honour to sit at the back of the bus as he imparted his knowledge and history of the Vietnam War and life experiences with us. Each of us greatly valued his time and grew and learnt from his story telling. The photo I have chosen depicts Bob sharing one of his memorable yarns to us up the back of the bus whilst we travelled from Hoi An to Hue.

Bob had a variety of stories, some being a little more appropriate than others! One which resonates with me the most is not a story but a philosophy that Bob strongly follows, “The circle of Concern, the Circle of Influence”. A circle of Concern encompasses the wide range of concerns we have – health, family, money, government and the threat of war. The circle of Influence encompasses those concerns we can do something about, they are concerns we have some control over (Covey. S. 1992). Bob lives by this philosophy and shared this belief with us. That is, if you can’t influence a concern  then it should not be a concern in your life, rather focus on the important things in your life that you do have control over.

Bob and all Australian men and women who fought in wars sacrificed so much. Many made the ultimate sacrifice with their lives and others, like Bob, war time change the trajectory of their lives so significantly and the trauma of war time would left physical and psychological  scars that many never recovered from. Bob's philosophy of forgiveness, kindness and positivity by working on things that you can do something about in ones life was inspiring. 

Thank you to Bob for sharing your time and experiences with us and for the many laughs we can now share about our amazing experiences in Vietnam. Thank you also to Malcolm, Maddi, Ellen and Lauren for also being our leaders and mentors. We will fondly remember you all throughout our lives from our Vietnam adventure.