Monday, December 9, 2019

On Air







Sophie Baker and Ryan Schwarz did a great job last week on ABC Radio when they were interviewed by Peter Goers. They handled Peter's questions superbly and did a great job promoting the prize and the stories associated with the Anzac Spirit. Well done. 






Have a listen to the interview at

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lzi6bzwoa0qehek/MyRecording.m4a?dl=0

As previously mentioned, the job is not done now we are home from Vietnam - it really has just started.  As ambassadors for the prize we have much to do in promoting the competition and tour as much as we can. I will be in touch with many of you over coming months when opportunities arise.  Please also send me any information/newspaper articles etc of anything you do - I am always interested to hear what you have followed-up with after the trip.




Whilst on the promotion of the prize, here is the video made on 5 July at the reception at Ayers House.




Thanks to William, Montana and Tabitha for their efforts on the day to talk on the video.  Use the video as you see fit when you do any talks.


Here is the link to the video:




https://www.dropbox.com/s/z6o60vohabl8xdg/ANZAC%20School%20Prize%20-%202019%20winners.mp4?dl=0


Also well done to Laura for getting her story in the Bunyip (Gawler-Barossa local paper) on 13 June. Reads really well Laura.
https://bunyippress.com.au/anzac-spirit-winner-laura-sets-sights-on-vietnam/








Great work everyone!

All the best for the future.

Regards

Malcolm 









Farewell to the 2019 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize group







The 2019 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize students gathered for the last time on 9 December in the Memorial Hall of RSL SA. All the guests appreciated hearing the significant moments of the trip from the students and just sharing with them the excitement of seeing each other again and telling their stories and impressions of the trip  with parents and special guests. Thanks to our speakers in making this a special occasion: Ms Cheryl Cates (RSL SA President), Ken Lountain (Directory, Department  for Education) and the wise and unforgettable Bob Kearney OAM.

Thanks to everyone for your great input to this event - an important final act for the group. 

Just a few images to remember the day.






Tabitha, Daisy and Matilda - all smiles!



Cheryl Cates, RSL SA President addresses the reception..



India shares her photo-story





Montana, Tabitha and Ellen show their books



Melissa shares her photo-story





Malcolm with David Butler, the first manager of the prize way back in 2007.


The wonderful Bob Kearney addresses the group about mentorship … and much more!




Ken Lountain from the Department for Education congratulates the
2019 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize group.




Sunday, November 17, 2019

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.


Wednesday, November 13, 2019

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.

Monday, November 11, 2019

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.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

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)



 
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.