2023 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour
2023 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour
The Premier’s Anzac Student Tour will travel to Sydney and New Zealand in April 2023.
Accompanied by 3 teachers, the group of students will depart for the 10-day tour on 16 April.
The unique 2023 program gives students an opportunity to investigate the Anzac legacy and commemorate those who served in the armed forces, and the 78th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Students from across Western Australia submitted their entries for the chance to be selected as ambassadors for the tour. Ten students from 10 different schools were selected to share in the experience. They will attend a briefing session ahead of undertaking their historical study tour.
- Tour diary, Day 10: Anzac Day
- Tour diary, Day 9: Stony Batter
- Tour diary, Day 8: Te Hana Te Ao Marama
- Tour diary, Day 7: Auckland
- Tour diary, Day 6: Sydney to Auckland
- Tour diary, Day 5: Cockatoo Island
- Tour diary, Day 4: Sydney
- Tour diary, Day 3: A busy day in Sydney
- Tour diary, Day 2: Deep contemplation
- Tour diary, Day 1: Arrival
- Tour participants
- Student entries
Tour diary, Day 10: Anzac Day
By Elizaveta Fedotova, Year 9, Bob Hawke College

We started this day by attending the dawn service at the Auckland War Memorial. Although we had to wake up at 3 in the morning, this was an experience not to be forgotten. As we stood looking at the cenotaph and our hands turned blue from the cold, I truly reflected on the great sacrifices that the ANZAC troupes would have made. I looked at the veterans, who had survived the war, and I did not see sorrow or despair. What I saw in their faces was pride for their nation and their culture. Losing a close friend and fellow soldier is unimaginably hard, but their sacrifices have shaped our nation, our culture, our identity as Australians and New Zealanders and everything that we believe and honour. This is true Anzac spirit and passing on the legacy of such great men and women is a real honour.
This thoughtful ceremony brought me some inspiration.
Anzac Day is not
a day to be celebrated
But a day where the fearless heroes
are remembered and commemorated
They risked their lives for us
For the kids, for the land Down Under
They fought for peace and love the world
Human life was the price to clear that thunder
We stand tall in respects
Service at dawn, sound of cornet
The ones who didn’t return
We won’t ever forget
Anzac Day is not
a day to be celebrated
But a day where the fearless heroes
are remembered and commemorated.

After our time at the RSA, we visited the graves of New Zealand fallen soldiers. It was a very emotional experience to see relatives visiting their soldiers. All of these soldiers were some mother’s son and possibly could have been a child’s father. It seems unfair that they should be deprived of this opportunity to have a family. As we looked at the headstones, I noticed that most men had not even reached the age of 40, some even under the age of 25. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose my father or brother and really commend those who did this and kept going on with life. It is truly something that should be honoured and respected.

Tour diary, Day 9: Stony Batter
By Rishita Sarkar, Year 12, Perth Modern School

We embarked from our landing place on the more touristy western side of Waiheke Island with our cheerful bus driver Dean and struck our way out across the island towards Stony Batter, invigorated from the wild and windy ferry ride across from Auckland.
Along the way we were surrounded by a picturesque landscape of rolling green fields and dazzling blue ocean – today was our first day in New Zealand where the sun deigned to finally show its face, and the weather couldn’t have been better.
Stony Batter seems to be a bit of a hidden gem in the tapestry of New Zealand’s history – though perhaps this is just a bit of a blind spot of mine as an Australian – but in recent times it has been recognised as a Category One Heritage Site, as well as being designated the title of one of two national treasures in Auckland. Having been commissioned in the Second World War in response to Japan, the end of the war came soon after it was finally completed and it was decommissioned during the 1950s.

It was interesting to see parallels in the setup of Stony Batter with the batteries we’ve visited in places such as the North Fort in Sydney, and we managed to reach a new depth of understanding of the mechanisms of their defence. This is information that in this case seems to be only recently coming to light, given the secrecy that surrounded not only the operation of this battery but also its very construction – all the soil from the tunnelling was collected and transferred elsewhere, and even the Mayor of Auckland at the time purportedly didn’t know about it! The 1,200 metres of tunnel with thirteen chambers were carved entirely by hand, and the workers were not able to leave or write to family until construction was completed three and a half years later. The tunnels are something of a technological and construction marvel with their sheer scale and self-regulation in terms of ventilation and water.
I particularly enjoyed being able to learn more about the role of women and technology in the Plotting Room. Our tour guide and archaeological project director Timothy Moon went into detail about the capabilities of the radar stations, which could detect ships from 300 kilometres away, as well as the observation stations, which were coupled with a range of other defensive measures such as seabed coils and underwater mines to protect Auckland Harbour from enemy ships and submarines. This detective technology was used by seven women working in the Plotting Room to calculate the trajectory and path at which to aim at enemy ships, though the guns at Stony Batter were never shot in anger. The development of this defence system was prompted by Japanese submarines surveying the Auckland and Wellington Harbours, subsequently going forward to bomb the Sydney Harbour.
Another event of note that we learnt about was the sinking of the RMS Niagara – considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner of the time – by underwater mines placed off the coast of New Zealand by German raider Orion. While everyone survived, the ship was carrying a top-secret cargo of gold bullion, some of which still remain beneath the ocean’s surface. It was a little bit awe-inspiring to hear of Tim’s plans to coordinate the recovery of this gold for the New Zealand government and remove the oil present within the ship, as well as his idea of creating a time capsule instructed to be opened in 2273 – two hundred and fifty years from now! His fascinating ideas and depth of historical knowledge were captivating and inspired us to further our own knowledge and work towards our own dreams, no matter what it may take to achieve them.
On the second to last day of the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour, I look back at how visiting these amazing locations have helped deepen my love for learning even further, and I hope to be able to take not only the knowledge I have gained but also the passion that has continued to grow on this tour and spread it to the youth in my community. As we go to sleep in preparation to wake up for the Dawn Service tomorrow, I feel honoured to be able to commemorate the Anzac legacy with my fellow ambassadors and hope to continue this experience of lifelong learning.
Tour diary, Day 8: Te Hana Te Ao Marama
By Adoley Mensah, Year 9, Wyndham District High School

Once inside, a powhiri was performed welcoming us, followed by dances that were emotional and beautiful. We watched as the performers used a Poi Poi, which is a ball on the end of a rope that is bounced on the user's arms and swung around in a complicated fashion. The Poi Poi's original use was for men to strengthen their wrists so they could use weapons better with a lower risk of getting hurt, but nowadays women have taken use of the Poi Poi as well, using it for dance. The Haka was also performed, which was beyond words.
The Marae house had a small door, which we were told was to keep the cold air out and warm air in, to make each person bow to enter and to give the person inside the hut an upper hand if an enemy or intruder was trying to enter. After the Powhiri ceremony was complete, we exited the Marae house, and Mereana's daughter gave us a tour of the village. The layout was interesting, with a section for women and a section for men. The younger boys would stay with their mothers till the age of about twelve, and the girls would stay with their mothers in the women's section.
We then headed out toward the back of the village where there was a statue representing the sad love story of Tihana and Rangikahui, who fell in love at first sight but could not be together as Tihana was betrothed. This story was fascinating and very emotional.
After the tour, we were treated to a festive lunch, where Poppy was sung 'Happy Birthday' in Maori and English for her 15th rotation around the sun. Our French bus driver then took us on a scenic tour of Warkworth and the murky Mahurangi River, and from there to Whangaparaoa Bay. The scenery at low tide was breathtaking. Returning to Auckland, we had an enjoyable walk down the quay and a delicious pizza dinner.
What an amazing day we had! I am still in awe of the deep cultural learning of today and the gained understanding of the differences between the Australian Aboriginal and the New Zealand Maori societies. I am so grateful to have the opportunity of this amazing on-tour learning experience.
Tour diary, Day 7: Auckland
By Harry Forman, Year 11, Katanning Senior High School

The Torpedo Bay Naval Museum was an exceptional experience, with our knowledgeable tour guide Andrew, who has a master's degree in history, providing insights into the world wars. I learned new information about the events of the world wars, including The Battle of Jutland, the most extensive naval battle in the First World War, which began when the Germans attempted to catch the British fleet off guard. I was also fascinated to learn about the Piupiu, a grass skirt supposedly gifted to the HMS New Zealand by a Maori chief. It was first worn by Captain Halsey during the battle of Heligoland Bite, where the legend of its protection started. The sailors believed it was a lucky charm as there was no damage done to the ship in that battle. This is a prime example of legend building and the positive effect it had on the morale of the sailors and people of New Zealand. It gave hope in a bleak time and provided a Maori connection to the war effort.

We ended the day on a high note, with the rain subsiding, and the anticipation of the cultural activities planned for the following day. I felt proud and honoured to represent the youth of Western Australia when I stood on the steps of the war memorial for a photo shoot. I am eagerly awaiting Anzac Day when thousands of other people will commemorate the legacy of the Anzac alongside me.
Tour diary, Day 6: Sydney to Auckland
By Georgia Kikiros, Year 11, St Andrew's Grammar

After another delayed flight, we could finally start our three hour adventure to our next destination. One stressful customs and border security check later, we all got out safely and took a scenic bus ride to the hotel.
Unfortunately, the rain put a stop to our walking tour of the harbour.
After reflecting on the day, I marvelled at the rare opportunity we have been given to expand our knowledge on the many conflicts from the perspective of the New Zealand soldiers who fought alongside the Australians. I have also realised the strong bonds I have forged on this trip, and we are all excited to learn new things from one another in the second half of this tour.

Each of these destinations engaged us in various forms of learning, including an independent audio tour as well as group-guided tours. It helped us to develop a deeper understanding of the history and legacy of the Anzac legend.
Tour diary, Day 5: Cockatoo Island
By Zoe Stockdale, Year 11, Eastern Goldfields College
Day five consisted of a very rainy tour around Cockatoo Island followed by a vivid interactive experience at Hyde Park Barracks.

Our time in Sydney has been full of learning and has inspired me to expand my knowledge even further on the Anzac legacy. See you in Auckland!
Tour diary, Day 4: Sydney
By Joshua Patrick, Year 10, Northam Senior High School

The day began with a tour of the Middle Head early colonial batteries (cannons) and living quarters, where we were greeted by ex-military personnel tour guide Ian Rushden. With this, said Ian, we somewhat travelled back through time in a reverse-chronological order going through the buildings that came to be wards, wards that were one of the first to test the idea of massage on critically (and supposed permanently) injured soldiers. Most importantly we had the privilege to see the colonial guns that defended the harbour in a time of relative peace. To my surprise, these guns were the base design of comical cannons in cartoons and even initiated the saying 'pull your finger out', in reference to a soldier pulling their finger out of the fuse hole.

Tour diary, Day 3: A busy day in Sydney
By Alex Wenzel, Year 11, Great Southern Grammar

As we bussed to Garden Island, we were met with a parade of gigantic steel-grey warships lining the island, which we later learned the roles of, including two square-ended carrier vessels designed to house and land/launch helicopters and ships. We were guided around the heritage museum by Warrant Officers, Hugh Johnson and Chris Perrin, who were happy to answer all our questions. Inside the museum, there was a replica bridge from the Second World War Navy vessels, which included an amazing phone system powered by sound, to be used when electricity is not available. They also had, which was greatly anticipated, the mid-section of one of the midget submarines used by the Japanese to infiltrate Sydney Harbour during the Second World War. This was an amazing piece to see first-hand, after hearing so much about the attack, it was incredible to see it in person and to have our understanding deepened of what it would have been like, not just for the Australians but for the Japanese during the attack.

As we walked through the Royal Botanic Garden, we paused at the gates to the stately Government House, another beautiful gothic building from the 19th century that Sydney has preserved. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow of our walk was the iconic, awe-inspiring Opera House. This of course inspired many, many photos and was a lovely way to finish off our third day of the Premier’s Anzac Student Tour 2023.
Tour diary, Day 2: Deep contemplation
By Poppy Fletcher, Year 10, Mount Lawley Senior High School

Our day began with a visit to the Sydney Anzac Memorial Museum, where we watched an exceptionally beautiful performance lifted from the diaries of 3 different nurses and a matron. It followed the stories of Alice Cashin, Evelyn Wright, Muriel Wakeford, and Clementina Marshall. We felt the incorporation of their individual stories was powerful. The acting from Candice, one of our guides was fluid and emotive, and we truly felt that we were there in the action alongside her. It was an incredible spotlight on those who are often looked over in favour of the soldiers in the war, and their efforts must not be forgotten. A depiction of a matron is also found on the outside of the memorial and on the inside of the chamber, alongside two nurses.
Despite our bus being cancelled, we still made it to our second destination, the Sydney Jewish Museum, on time. Our first part of our tour was meeting a Holocaust survivor, named Jack Meister, and hearing his personal story of surviving Auschwitz. His recollection was incredibly moving for all of us, as he recounted the time he spent on the death march from Auschwitz to Buchenwald and after the war when he migrated and settled in Australia. The most important part of his journey for us was his persistence and his cheerful attitude. Despite all the hardships he faced, Jack was still jovial and happy to share his story with us. It was a humbling reminder that this happened to real people, and it was eye-opening to hear this in person from someone who was there and experienced it.

It was an incredibly powerful day of reflection on the past, but also moving towards the future, in our role of sharing the stories we indulge in on this tour.
Tour diary, Day 1: Arrival
A collective contribution by all student ambassadors

Staying at The Rocks is such a privilege, not only being so close to everything but walking the historic cobbled streets gave us a window to the past. We particularly liked the integration of the old and new architecture, where they have preserved history while making it functional. The acknowledgement of the colonial and convict heritage on plaques throughout The Rocks deepened our understanding of the significance of the area.
Student ambassadors
Name | Year | School |
---|---|---|
Elizaveta Fedotova | 9 | Bob Hawke College |
Adoley Mensah | 9 | Wyndham District High School |
Poppy Fletcher | 10 | Mount Lawley Senior High School |
Joshua Patrick | 10 | Northam Senior High School |
Harry Forman | 11 | Katanning Senior High School |
Georgia Kikiros | 11 | St Andrew's Grammar |
Zoe Stockdale | 11 | Eastern Goldfields College |
Alex Wenzel | 11 | Great Southern Grammar |
Rishita Sarkar | 12 | Perth Modern School |
Ebony Whitney | 12 | Collie Senior High School |
Teacher supervisors
Name | School |
---|---|
Patrick Marzohl | Margaret River Senior High School |
John Coules | Rossmoyne Senior High School |
- In what way might efforts on the home front be seen as important as battles fought overseas?
More information
Secondary Schools, District High Schools and Post-School Pathways
E: anzactour@education.wa.edu.au
T: 9402 6123