Twenty-two South Australian students depart tonight on a once-in-a-lifetime tour that culminates with the Dawn Service at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day.
Education Minister Susan Close said the winners of the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize were ideal South Australian representatives for the Anzac Centenary.
“These students are among just 400 across Australian who were chosen to make the trip based on their research into South Australian Gallipoli veterans and an interview process.
“I have no doubt that they will embrace this incredible opportunity to attend the Dawn Service on this milestone occasion.
“Attending the Dawn Service on this 100th anniversary will be unlike any other experience these students have ever had,” Ms Close said.
“Going to Anzac Cove will be a time for the students to reflect on the service men and women who put their lives at risk for Australia 100 years ago.”
Mr Hamilton-Smith said as part of the trip, students would travel to Istanbul and visit a number of cultural sites including Canakkale, a hub of ancient mythology, the landing beaches, the Ari Burnu cemetery where the Dawn Service was held until 2000, and the ruins of ancient Troy.
“I encourage these students to make the most of this once in a lifetime journey and wish them all the best as they represent South Australia in Gallipoli,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
The students are among the 10,000 Australians who will attend the centenary event.
Since the inception of the Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize in 2007, 60 South Australian students have had the the opportunity to travel overseas to sites of remembrance for the fallen service men and women.
2015 Premier’s ANZAC Spirit School Prize winners:
Blake McCallum (Booleroo Centre District School)
Alice Kerr (Kildare College)
Amy Vogelsang (Booleroo Centre District School)
Annabel Collins (Loxton High School)
Annabel Lane (Loreto College)
April Burdon (Loxton High School)
Ben Francis (Scotch College)
Lachlan Bruce (Aberfoyle Park High School)
Emily Hicks (Nuriootpa High School)
Emma Wintulich (Tyndale Christian School)
Erin Stubbs (Charles Campbell College)
Jordan Hefferan (Reynella East College)
Lauren Hutchinson (Charles Campbell College)
Mathew Wallace (University Senior College)
Marlee George (Loxton High School)
Maxwell Spurling (Sacred Heart College Middle School)
Nikki Brennan (St Peters Girls School)
Olivia Habel (St Peters Girls School)
Phoebe Spurrier (Scotch College)
Thuran Ramesh Babu (University Senior College)
Viki Ntafillis (Unley High School)
William Pincombe (Glenunga International High School)