Eight young Australians, winners of the 2014 Simpson Prize, will travel to Gallipoli to attend this year’s Anzac Day commemorations.
“I was impressed by the sophisticated understanding of historical concepts displayed in many of these entries and by the in depth discussion of the Anzac story,” Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said.
Mr Pyne explained that The Simpson Prize recognises outstanding work in historical research around the Anzac story. It is funded through the Australian Government’s Civics and Citizenship Education programme.
Senator Michael Ronaldson said the Anzac story is part of who we are as a nation.
“The Centenary of Anzac will be this nation’s most important period of commemoration. For students in particular, knowing where we fought, when we fought and the values we fought for is critical to understanding the Anzac story,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Entries are now open for the 2015 Simpson Prize. Next year’s winners will attend ANZAC Day commemorations on the Centenary of the original ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915