Returning home and reflections

Today marked the culmination of the Premier's Anzac Student Tour: Anzac Day. In the pitch darkness and silence before dawn on Mount Clarence, we solemnly remembered the servicemen and women who toiled through unfathomable hardship so that we could stand on Australian soil in peace and safety, as we did today. Our wreath was laid as the sun illuminated the horizon, and the ceremony of gratitude and reflection came to a peaceful close.

The Desert Mounted Corps Memorial, Mount Clarence

What I took away from today was that by remembering those who fought for our country, we are constantly reminded not only of the price of freedom, but also how fortunate we are to live in this country. Remembering those who never returned home shouldn’t be defined by a time or a date but by a memory and, after what I have experienced today, I believe that this should be taken into account every day.

Day 11 brought goodbyes and reflection. We farewelled Darcy, Max and Maya who left early. We filed onto the bus for a final time ready for the ride from Albany to Perth, stopping at Mt Barker and at Williams for lunch. After a good four-and-a-half-hour trip we arrived at East Perth terminal to be picked up. After more goodbyes and encouraging each other to catch up, we left what had been an awesome tour.

During the five-hour trip back to Perth we finished writing these tour journals which let us cast our minds back to the first day on tour and how far we’d come. The amount of history we’ve covered and the people we’ve met will stay with me for the rest of my life; it was truly an experience this journal is not able to describe in words. There is so much in the State we live in it would take a millennium to fully explore it all. The 2021 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour has been a rewarding and life-changing experience. I am so proud to be a part of an initiative which offers secondary students a chance to learn more about and share the Anzac legacy.This tour has allowed for personal growth, as I feel like I am able to walk away and share my experiences, as well as my renewed understanding and knowledge of the Anzac legacy.

The history that we have had the privilege of learning is something I hope to remember, and share with others for many years to come. Although Western Australia may not have fought off invaders as other nations have had to do during two World Wars, Traditional owners of the land have been forced to confront European colonial settlement; this tour has allowed me to gain a better understanding of how rich in history our State really is.

Leaving the tour, I have a new perspective on the history of this State: Our travels through Wyndham, Kununurra, Broome, Rottnest and Albany have all provide a unique perspective on the history of Western Australia. I have come to realise that it is not what is written in the history books that really matters, but the lived experiences and lasting effects on the community and individuals living today. This understanding of history that I developed was not groundless. My fellow tour participants and supervisors helped guide our discussions, and feedback had shaped insights. The tour allowed me to work with like-minded people to consider the contestable nature of history. I hope that with this, I can share what I have learnt and inspire other students to recognise the Anzac legacy. Blended emotions, solemn reflection and the prospect of returning home permeated the final day of the 2021 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour. I have formed close-knit friendships with all my fellow tour members and the teacher chaperones, and I am grateful to have experienced the learning and commemorative aspects of the tour alongside them. As an avid history student, I have felt inspired by the origins of Western Australia and its vibrant and rich history. From Kununurra to Albany, we heard stories and events related to First Nations' heritage, pastoralism in the Kimberley, defence on the home front and the shaping of the Anzac legacy in Western Australia. The 2021 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour has offered me a wealth of knowledge and historical exposure.

Returning home and reflections

Despite the many long days, the tour came to an end all too quickly. This morning we had our last breakfast together before beginning our many goodbyes. Myself, Max and Darcy were the first to leave, but the knowledge that I wouldn’t see these incredible people again the following day didn’t sink in straight away. As I headed back home to Denmark, I had an opportunity to reflect on the many wonderful experiences of the tour. This trip has been a life-changing experience. I have learnt so much about the history of my home State of Western Australia, made some amazing friends, shared in unforgettable memories and continued the legacy of the Anzacs. It is important to recognise not only our soldiers and service personnel, but also the Traditional Custodians of the land, and all those who have shaped it into the incredible place it is today. Lest we forget. One of my main takeaways from our voyages between regional destinations across Western Australia, is the importance of understanding our own State’s history, landscapes and people, before branching outwards to tackle more complex, foreign environments. While these tours typically venture overseas, I feel as though I’ve benefited more from learning the history and heritage present in my own backyard. Prior to the tour, my perception of Western Australian history was admittedly quite primitive and shallow. However, I’ve certainly found myself surprised by our rich heritage stretching almost 4000km from Albany to Kununurra, and the wealth of local stories revealing how societal changes have shaped the prosperous State we are today. Reflections of the Anzac legacy begin right here, on our own soil, and the 2021 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour had the privilege of realising this.

Returning home and reflections

I would like to acknowledge and thank the many people that played a role in making the 2021 tour go despite the many road bumps and moments of uncertainty. A special thanks to the Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, and the State Government of Western Australia for making the opportunity available. We are extremely grateful that we were fortunate enough to be able to enrich ourselves on this study tour. I would also like to thank Teacher Supervisors Ms Emily Donders, Mr Tony Granich, and Ms Kate Akerman whose deep passion for history and knowledge create an insightful and open environment. I am extremely grateful for Champion Bay Senior High School and the Gifted and Talented Online Program who supported me every step of the way. And of course, a special acknowledgement and deep thanks to coordinator Ms Samantha Boswell because without her hard work and dedication, the tour would never have happened. I would like to thank the Premier and the State Government for making this program available to the youth of Western Australia, and I am extremely proud to now call myself a Premier’s Anzac Student Tour alumni. The experience was truly amazing, and it was an experience that I will remember for the rest of my life. I would also like to thank my humanities teachers, school, and Ms Boswell for organising us. To the other participants of the 2021 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour: I am truly grateful to have toured around our wonderful State with a group of intelligent, thoughtful and interesting people, who I am sure will remain close friends for years to come.

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