2015 School Magazine

THE PREMIER’S ANZAC PRIZE — 2015 TOUR OF GALLIPOLI AND THEWESTERN FRONT JOSEFINE GANKO (12R)

Late last year, Anna Ruddell (11O), Laura Fell (11B) and I were lucky enough to be chosen as recipients of the 2015 Premier’s ANZAC prize. Our application consisted of a multi-modal presentation on the ANZAC history and what it meant to us. The prize included an all-expenses paid trip to the ANZAC Day centenary at Gallipoli, as well as a tour of the Western Front. We started our tour in April 2015 with a quick stop in incredible Istanbul, before making the long journey to Gallipoli the next day. After a long, sleepless night, the Dawn Service was truly spectacular and an event that we will always remember. The ANZAC Day commemorations continued at the Lone Pine memorial, at the peak of the peninsula, as we listened to moving addresses from Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Prince Harry. From there we spent a week in Gallipoli, exploring battlefields from Shrapnel Valley to the Nek. We then moved on to Belgium, where after a day exploring Brussels and Bruges, we visited Ypres, and the surrounding battlefields and cemeteries. This included the Menin Gate, where we attended one of the nightly For a period of two glorious weeks during the Easter holidays, twenty-three enthusiastic Year 10, 11 and 12 students, accompanied by staff, visited Turkey and Greece for the 2015 Anzacs and Antiquities Tour. Starting in the exotic capital of Istanbul and continuing south down the west coast of Turkey, we experienced the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures, constantly hopping from Asia to Europe, sometimes in the same day. Travelling through Gallipoli and visiting the memorials of the ANZAC soldiers we had researched prior to our departure was a very moving experience for all of the girls, especially for those who visited the graves of family members buried at locations such as Ari Burnu, Shell Green and Lone Pine. From here, we visited many astonishing, historic landmarks such as Troy, the site of countless, epic wars that spanned centuries; the beautiful ancient city of Ephesus, which houses the great Library of Celsus; the world’s first hospital formed by Asklepion, son of Apollo; and the breathtaking white cliffs of Pammukale, a result of more than 25 000 years of built up calcium deposits.

commemorations at this significant memorial. After a couple of days in Belgium, we crossed the border in to France, and visited Albert and Villers- Bretonneux, the most significant Australian memorial. We ended our tour in Paris, and headed home after experiencing a life-changing journey that had brought us all closer as friends, and made us even prouder to be Australians.

ANZACS AND ANTIQUITIES TOUR MADELINE MURPHY (12O)

We were sad to leave behind the wonders of Turkey and our wonderful guide Őzçan, but excited to explore the Greek wonders that awaited us across the Aegean Sea. Beginning our journey in Athens, home of the fierce Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy, Athena, we toured the Hill of the Nine Muses, the Agora and the magnificent Acropolis. Further south, we visited the home of the ancient Pythia, the sacred oracle of Apollo, in Delphi before continuing on to Olympia. Here, we conducted our own test of speed on the original 600ft track where the Olympic Tradition began, an unforgettable experience. All girls on the trip had an absolutely phenomenal experience and we will forever treasure the bonds we formed. We are extremely thankful for the overwhelming contributions of Dr Stephens, Dr Taraporewalla, Ms Dare and Ms Hennessey for accompanying us and sharing our wonder for the ancient world and the bravery of the ANZAC troops at Gallipoli.

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