State Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC MP today joined NSW Minister for Veterans’ Affairs the Hon David Elliott MP to launch the 2017 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship.

The scholarship is available to Year 10 and 11 students with a keen interest in history. Mr Elliott said he hopes schools will take up the opportunity to be a part of the program. 

“These scholarships enable young history buffs to visit key battlefields and memorial sites where our Anzac history is brought to life,” Mr Elliott said. 

“In 2017 scholars will take part in commemorations of the Third Battle of Ypres in Flanders marking 100 years since the British offensive in which Australia lost 38,000 men.”

The 12-day tour will also take in other significant Australian battlefields on the Western Front in Belgium and France including Villiers Bretonneux, Pozieres and Fromelles.

Mr Henskens is encouraging schools to participate to give students the opportunity to represent their community on the tour.

“Remembering Australia’s service men and women is all the more important as we continue to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac,” Mr Henskens said.

“For students this tour is a unique opportunity, one that offers scholars insight into Australia’s involvement in the First World War and the birth of the Anzac legend.”

Government, Catholic and independent schools that submit an expression of interest will go into a ballot that will be drawn on 21 November.

The 20 schools selected will then nominate one student each to take part in the 2017 tour.

Expressions of interest can be lodged online until 5pm Monday 14 November at http://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship-tour/