SA Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize

  More than just rocks By Malcolm McInerney At times during our trip to the Top End I heard some quizzical comments about my infatuation with rocks. Yes, they are rarely seen by most as something to dote upon, but they do stimulate the imagination in terms of time and please the eye in regard to beauty. With many others, one of the highlights of the trip for me was the boat trip in Katherine Gorge. Although at other times on the trip we saw some wonderful landscapes, the experience of floating past ancient rocks of such grandeur was awe-inspiring. Not only because they looked so beautiful but also because they told an amazing story. A story of time beyond our comprehension, and there we were in 2021 admiring them in all their glory. Their story involved being laid down in an ancient sea 1650 million years ago (get your head around that), then consolidated and hardened over millions of years, before being cut into by what we now call the Katherine River. As we travelled throug...

  Unforeseeable, and yet, unforgettable  By  Lara Nguyen Bich-Loan Reminiscing over our 10 days in the Northern Territory, it proved rather ambitious having to narrow everything down to one memorable moment. Leading up to the study tour, I was unsure in what to expect; I questioned myself and was extremely doubtful. Would I befriend anyone? Have I set my expectations too high for the trip? As these questions, alongside many others, ran through my mind, it was unforeseeable what I would experience on the trip, and yet, the trip had far exceeded my expectations. Throughout the trip, we heard many inspirational stories. Stories in which were eloquently spoken and taught us many distinct lessons, either intentionally or not. On the eighth day of our trip, we had the opportunity to experience Marksie’s Stockman’s Camp Tucker Night. Under the starry night sky, Marksie entertained us while we had beef stew, damper, scones, jungle juice, and billy tea. Both the food and hos...

  The moments of quiet reflection B y Bec Learey In a trip so full of joyful excitement and non-stop adventure it is hard to narrow down one pivotal moment that stands out. The spear throwing, pool swimming, crocodile feeding, rock climbing escapades were intermixed with journeys of discovery and a deeper understanding of the world around us. For me, it was the moments of quiet reflection that were most noteworthy. I appreciated the deep level of respect, gratitude and a desire to know more that was shown by all of the students. To watch as the students engaged with the culture of the Larakia people was wonderful, particularly the way they took hold of the wisdom that was shared with them. Each evening, as the team gathered, they eagerly awaited their turn to share the story and life of those who died in the Bombing of Darwin. It was incredible to hear the passion with which they honoured those that had gone before them. Arriving at Adelaide River War Cemetery was the culmination ...

  The impact of indigenous culture was all pervasive. By Tyla Peters The Darwin trip was an amazing adventure filled with experiences that could only be had in a well organised and programmed agenda with a group of like-minded people. The first couple of days proved a challenge in adjusting to new faces and a very different environment. Friendships developed quickly and the initial apprehension quickly turned to joy and a desire to learn more about Darwin and the impact of World War II on it and its inhabitants. The trip is full of memories that I will cherish forever. The new friendships made, the real local characters we met, the extensive war history of Darwin and the many and varied activities we enjoyed all contributed to a memorable trip. Selecting one favourite memory is difficult. One activity that does standout in my mind was the bush tucker night. The food, the environment, the story telling and the great company made this one of the most enjoyable nights ever. Storie...

  We truly are living in the ‘lucky country ’ By Maddison Lawrie Like so many have stated, it was incredibly difficult selecting one event, one photo, one memory of significance to capture the trip. Upon reflection, for me, it is a selection of memories that have evoked a strong sense of gratitude that will be hard to convey in an image. However, I feel that the photograph from Arnhem Land best encompasses this feeling. We are more aware than ever of what is happening around us. The climate we are currently living in is one many of us have never experienced before. I can’t help but reflect on our study tour without confirmed belief that we truly are living in the ‘lucky country’. The ability to travel from state to state, or in our case state to territory, is something others around the world are currently not fortunate enough to do. However, this is just the beginning and it goes beyond the opportunity to travel, it is about the place we travelled to. In our own backyard, we wer...

  History had quite literally been cemented in this spot! By Sakinah Karras It was almost hard to conceptualise, that as we rode around the Darwin Harbour, the remnants of the Bombing left behind was the result of events occurring in this spot just shy of 80 years ago.  History had quite literally been cemented in this spot! Pill-Boxes used to fire weapons still sat on the cliffside, oil reserves and pipelines were rusted but still left in their original form. Within view of the water was the Parliament House built on the remains of the formerly bombed Darwin Post Office and perhaps even cooler, the USS Peary wreckage that remained at the depths of the harbour. Our guide was amazing as well, he was so informative about the area, allowing us to learn so much! Right after the cruise had finished, we headed to the Royal Flying Doctor Museum just nearby on the Wharf. The VR reality experience provided there of the Darwin Bombing encapsulated what we had just learned. It was ...

  The trip challenged me to get out of my comfort zone and to have a go at new things. By Erika Watson   On the 25 of April 2021, an amazing trip in the top end of Australia had come to an end. It had been a great experience meeting new people and learning about the history that unfolded on Australian turf. Events and opportunities such as learning about the Darwin Bombings, Larrikia culture and seeing some of the most beautiful waterfalls made the trip an unforgettable one. On Anzac Day, the Premiers Anzac Spirit group attended the Dawn Service which was an amazing experience. The day before, we had ventured to the Darwin Esplanade to mark 100 years of the Cenotaph which was followed by a gathering and reception at Parliament House. Anzac Day was held along the Esplanade which provided a view out to a part of history that for many decades has not been told. At the Anzac Day commemoration there were people from the Navy, Air Force and Army and many others that had se...

  A start to many unforgettable adventures By Cassidy Hamilton-Smith The day started early with a 4.30am start to travel to Adelaide Airport and meet up with the rest of the group by 5.45am. Meeting everyone was definitely an unforgettable experience and little did I know that during the 10 days in Darwin it would get so much better. When arriving in Darwin we started our experience with a Welcome to Country where Trent, a local Larrakia man, led a traditional Larrakia ceremony where we had to wash our sweat into the sea. After the welcoming, Trent demonstrated to the group how to throw a spear. It was an intense but fun competition between the girls and guys, with no-one ending up hitting the foam kangaroo. We made our way back up the beach to some shade from the scorching sun, where we were served some damper and jam for lunch. We split into two groups and my group chose to do the face painting. We were taught how to make natural paints from the different coloured rocks called oc...

  Fascinating Zebra Stone formations were revealed By Mikayla Gillett   There are endless experiences I could write about. However, on the second to last day we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the Zebra Stone Facility near Litchfield National Park. We met Ruth and her daughter Opal who, with the help of a few other family members, run the facility. Zebra Stone is a type of sedimentary rock, composed mainly of small particles of quartz, sericite, and hematite. Ruth told us about how there is a lot of controversy regarding the way which the Zebra Stone was formed millions of years ago, and the various theories which mathematicians and geologists have come up with. Zebra Stone is still largely a mystery to the world of science, which is one reason why it is important it is protected. Ruth also told us about how they had a mining lease to mine the Zebra Stone but didn’t have permission to use it for tourism at this point. Their plan is to keep at least...

  Singing "you are my sunshine” with Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, wife of the His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd)  Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia We did some things together that we will forever cherish By Callum Barrott-Walsh Early Friday the 16 th of April we gathered at the Adelaide Airport with many of us barely knowing each other. However, as each great day of the trip progressed our friendships became stronger, and we all rallied around in great support of each other. Personally, it was hard to pinpoint just one great moment during the trip as I can definitely say every day was a highlight of my life for me! Some of the things I will forever cherish from the trip are the great people I had the privilege of exploring and learning with and the wise and wonderful stories from the legend Bob. I think it’s safe to say that Bob’s stories are some of the greatest we have all heard as young people. Learning about Bob’s c...

  What happened in Darwin is not a secret anymore By Archie McEwen   When my brother chose the Bombing of Darwin as the topic for a project in primary school, he was told by his teacher to re-evaluate his choice as this historical event was not significant enough. Now, more than ever, I realise how very wrong she was in her opinion. What happened in Darwin is not a secret anymore - it is an open story that can and should be told.  On day 10 of our trip, we recognised the men and women who died during Darwin’s darkest days. On a cooler NT day, we departed from Katherine, heading for the Adelaide River War Cemetery. Upon arrival, we discovered an ataractic, shady haven of remembrance. Placed beneath the shade of great big canopies, we slowly found the men and women of our selection, paying homage to their humanity. After pausing for the ode and more of Bob’s wisdom, I found great comfort in directing my mind towards my young soldier during his finest moments, rather tha...

  C hanged my perspective on life forever By Zoe Raynes Looking back on all the memories from the trip it is hard to pick one photo that captures it all. The memories I have made, the stories I have heard and the incredible people I have met have changed my perspective on life forever. This trip has been the best experience of my life and I will forever be grateful for it. There are no words that can describe how these days have changed the way I look at life. Something that will stay with me forever is the wisdom shared by Bob. His inspiring stories and wise words have been something I will never forget and forever be grateful for. He has changed the way I look at life and taught me valuable lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. There is no way to explain the impact this trip has had on me. I look back at photos and wish I could go back and do it all again exactly how it was. I have made lifelong friends that have taught me so much and I am so grateful ...

  A video from Makayla Blackwood.   Go to https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KvO0fhvlmeiosGR-F0UCWXdn4Ix9fv_A/view?usp=sharing to see our trip through rapid-fire images. Thanks Makayla, great to see all these images flashing by of a trip to remember. It looks so warm and sunny, compared to the weather we are now experiencing back in Adelaide. Thanks to the students who have sent me their image and write-up from the trip. I need the favourite images and accompanying stories as soon as possible - I need time to put together something for our 25 June meeting. Regards Malcolm

The feeling of trying to uncover meanings By Jasmine Baker After a lengthy journey to Kakadu from Darwin, we arrived at an area surrounded by tropical scrub. Walking down a rocky path, we were greeted by beautiful swampy surroundings. The native flora in the area was a fascinating accompaniment to our walk in the hot, thick air. The scrub cleared and we arrived at a tall escarpment. After a short walk, we arrived at Ubirr - a beautiful site consisting of Indigenous rock art. The images presented to us were around 1500 years old, from the most recent freshwater period. The art allowed us to step back into this time, observing the abundance of food in the area - images of barramundi, goannas and echidnas. Some paintings are said to have been 2000-3000 years old. The feeling of trying to uncover meanings and piece these to aspects of history was nothing short of fascinating. We marvelled at what was before us, so many stories preserved over a period of time so hard to grasp. The most ...

  I gained a new understanding of the sacrifices made  By Ebony McHugh On Friday the 23 rd of April we left Katherine on a very long and enjoyable bus ride to the Adelaide River War Cemetery where we commemorated the service by not only soldiers, but of the local people during the bombing of Darwin. Being able to commemorate the service of Albert Victor Leske Schulz made the involvement so much more meaningful. I gained a new understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers. I found that listening to Bob talk about ‘we shall remember them’ inspired me in so many ways. Laying a small, hand collected bunch of flowers and standing by the grave of Schulz, I had a moment to myself where I reflected on everyone who has sacrificed their family lives and themselves during any war. It put a lot of things happening now in my life into a much better perspective and visiting the cemetery changed the way I view service  military personnel,  past and present. This trip has be...

  The opportunity  to understand the remarkable sacrifices made by war service people By Harrison Geater-Johnson Early Sunday morning, 18 April 2 021, we visited the Darwin Aviation Museum. The museum was home to a range of aircraft, including renowned bombers, jets, and helicopters. Whilst walking around the museum I was amazed by the various aircraft, the stories and displays. One of the displays I found interesting was of Hajime Toyoshima’s crashed plane and his story. Toyoshima was a Japanese zero pilot. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged by anti-aircraft fire during the Darwin bombing, resulting in Toyoshima to land on Melville Island. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged further during the landing, breaking the propeller, and dislodging the engine. Toyoshima was later captured and disarmed by local Tiwi Islanders. Another display that amazed me was a wall full of Australian veteran memorials who had served in Vietnam. During this moment I came to understand t...

  This was a great day accompanied by some great friends By Oscar Rice This trip was a once in a lifetime moment, and I will remember it for years. I had so much fun and made so many friends. There were so many good moments, and it is honestly hard to name the best. Instead, I choose a photo to match it to all the good moments I had on the trip. I chose this photo of myself, Archie and Harry standing on the Edith Falls lookout. This was a great day accompanied by some great friends. When first meeting the boys, I wasn't sure they would be much fun, but after talking to them and hanging out a bit, we quickly got along.   The day started with an early rise at Cooinda lodge and a short drive to Edith falls, where the group when on a beautiful walk. The series of cliffs and hills accompanied by native shrubbery were some of the finest landscapes I have seen. The temperature was high, but nothing could stop me from taking in the breath-taking scenery. This photo above shows the b...

Listening to others talk for what seemed like a few minutes but was actually a few hours By Immogen Pertini Darwin was a trip certainly unforgettable. From the culture, conservation and the people it truly was the dream destination. Every single day brought something new to the table, whether it be throwing spears, admiring crocodiles, or even just listening to others talk for what seemed like a few minutes but was actually a few hours i.e. Bob. However, one particular night was far more superior than all of the others, and that was Marksie’s Stockman Camp Tucker Night. The moment we arrived Marksie welcomed us with open arms, which was later accompanied by a quintessential Australian outdoor dining experience with the unique twist of combining over 16 indigenous bush tucker herbs, spices and other ingredients into some delicious meals. We feasted upon damper, beef stew, gem scones topped with special jam and cream, Jungle Juice and Billy Tea. Many of us went back for 2nds and even 3...

  The Plane That Started It All By Makayla Lockwood   During this trip, one moment where I felt like I pieced together a major part of the story in relation to the Bombing of Darwin was whilst we were at the Darwin Aviation Museum. Hajime Toyoshima was the man who led the bombing squadron against Darwin on the fateful 19 th February 1942. He was also the man who led the raid on Perl Harbour less than a year before. His plane caught my attention, because without him and his plane leading the squadrons of Japanese pilots, there wouldn’t have been an attack that day. It hit me: this was one of the planes that struck fear in the citizens of Darwin. You would have heard it in the skies. Seen it fly overhead. It was used as a weapon against Australia. And now it sat here, just a pile of scrap metal. It crashed somewhere on Melville Island, on Australian soil. Toyoshima was the first Japanese prisoner of war in Australia and died during an attempt to escape his POW camp in NSW...