The Andrews Labor Government has awarded 40 high school students across Victoria with scholarships of $2,500 for outstanding art and writing projects that build awareness of the contributions made by Australia’s veterans.

Students in Years 9 to 11 were invited to enter the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize by reflecting on the Spirit of ANZAC and how it represents resilience, courage and good humour.

Submissions included a range of formats such as essays, artworks, video, audio, music, webpages and poems. Many applicants sought the views of veterans or families of veterans in their own communities.

Recipients include Macklin Spicer, a Year 11 student at the Kilmore International School, who created an oil artwork capturing how the military displayed the Spirit of Anzac while assisting with the coronavirus pandemic response.

Fellow recipient Syazwani Saifudin, a Year 9 student at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College, created a moving video submission about Indigenous World War One soldier William Rawlings, who was awarded the Military Medal for courage before being killed in action on the Western Front.

Another recipient, Mia Charlotte Brice in Year 10 at Norwood Secondary College, created a portrait of Sister Rachel Pratt. Sister Pratt was one of only eight Australian nurses to be awarded the Military Medal during World War One, after she continued to tend to the wounded despite suffering significant wounds herself in an explosion.

The winning students each receive $2,500 to support educational experiences and expenses, administered by their school.

The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize began in 2005 and has since been awarded to more than 500 students.

For more information and the list of winners, visit vic.gov.au/soap.