Spirit of ANZAC Tour 2009
Read about the students experiences on the blog.
See photos of the students on flickr.
‘Experience of a lifetime’: 2009 study tour concludes
The 10 Victorian high school students chosen for the 2009 Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Prize are back at school after their study tour of Korea and Gallipoli.
In the final blog of the tour, Larnie and Pip summed up the experience for the group: “We have developed a greater understanding of our history, a newfound respect for our ANZACs (as well as the Turkish soldiers) and a deeper pride in our country.”
On tour the students participated in an ANZAC Day commemoration at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul before visiting DMZ (demilitarised zone) sites dividing North and South Korea and conducting tributes to Australian service personnel at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
Guided by Professor Bruce Scates from Monash University, the students spent three days exploring the iconic battlefield landscapes of the Gallipoli campaign before spending the last night of their tour at home stays with students and their families from Gelibolu High School.
“Our time with our Turkish friends was a great experience that enabled us to be immersed, even though for a short time, in Turkish culture, experiencing a bit of typical Turkish life. We have definitely made lifelong friends,” wrote Matt in his blog.
Visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea
In Australia, the Korean War is often called the “forgotten war” and dismissed as a “sideshow”. A visit to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery Korea in Busan is certain to reassure the comrades, the friends and the families of those Australians who served in Korea that the Koreans have not forgotten this war. They have definitely not forgotten the 40,896 men and women of the 21 nations who gave their lives in the UN sanctioned war to defend the fledgling democracy of South Korea between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953.
Every flower and tree, every brass head stone and blade of grass is meticulously tendered by volunteer Koreans, who continue to repay the debt they feel they owe to those who came to fight in their defence and in defence of their freedom.
On Monday, 27 April 2009, the students and members of the Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Prize study tour visited the UNMCK, to pay tribute to the 281 Australians who lost their lives in the Korean War.
The tour party, lead by Ms Liz Beattie MP, conducted a series of commemoration cemeremonies for service men killed or missing in action, including Horace “Slim” Madden GC, David Thomas Pringle from Greensborough, Joseph Raison Hill Longmore from Colac, Peter Botley Chalmers from Geelong and Keith Elwood Clarkson from Albert Park.
They were guided through the cemetery by Leo Demay, Director of International Affairs for the UNMCK, whose father was member of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and who was killed at Hil 355 in the Battle of Maryang San and who is buried at the cemetery.
After their tour of the cemetery, their visits to Maryang San and Kapyong – both major battles involving Australian troops from the 3rd Royal Australian Regiment – the Spirit of ANZAC students are determined to do what they can to make sure contemporary Australia better understands the sacrifices and the hardships endured by our troops and does not forget the Korean War.
ANZAC Day Commemoration at Seoul War Memorial
Students on the 2009 Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Study Tour joined around 200 people to commemorate ANZAC Day at the Dawn Service at the Seoul War Memorial with the Australian and New Zealand Ambassadors and embassy staff.
The memorial service was conducted by Chaplain John Brownbill RFD, a veteran of the Korean War, who is a member of the study tour group. Ms Liz Beattie, MP, member for Yuroke and Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, laid a wreath on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Following the service, the study group attended a gun fire breakfast before having a guided tour of the Demilitarised Zone along the 38th parallel. The tour visited normally restricted sites in the Neutral Nations Security Centre under United Nations' control, before touring the Joint Security Area, where North and South Korea confront each directly across the 38th Parallel.
First Stop: Korea!
The 10 Victorian high school students selected to undertake the 2009 study tour to South Korea and Gallipoli have now arrived in Korea and will start off their trip by participating in the ANZAC day dawn service at the war memorial in Seoul.
The Premier's Spirit of ANZAC Prize was created to inspire young people from across Victoria to learn about the legacy and history of Victoria’s veterans.
The tour is being led by Ms Liz Beattie MP, Parliaimentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs, and includes two veterans – Chaplain John Brownbill (a veteran of the Korean War), and retired Major General Peter Haddad, who chairs the Victorian Veterans Council. Also on the tour are two teacher chaperones, Ian Simpkin from Mt Clear College Ballarat and Felicity Williams from Greensborough College.