Students from a New South Wales Catholic girls’ school have won first prize in the National Anzac Day Schools’ Awards for a project in which they recorded and published the stories of local servicemen and women.
In addition to taking out the top spot in the competition run by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the St Patrick’s College for Girls Campbelltown students were awarded the Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement.
The student-led project titled “Our local veterans: Discovering, recording and reflecting on stories of service”, was completed outside school hours by members of the History Club and aimed to preserve the first- and second-hand stories of service personnel.
The girls conducted 14 interviews with veterans and their families. Interviewees were invited to bring an object from their military service to discuss and were asked a range of questions, including about the challenges they faced during and after their service.
Each participant sat for a portrait taken by Year 10 student, Hannah Buckpitt. When the content was complete, the website build was led by Year 12 student, Isabelle Slade.
Many of the military personnel were parents or relatives of the students and the girls reflected on how the project helped them view their family members in a new light.
Particularly poignant is the interview Year 8 student Hope Schwarze conducted with her grandfather, John Matthew Purkis, who served in the military for 19 years, including in the Vietnam War. Mr Purkis passed away just a few weeks after the interview.
“Every year, I have marched with my pop on Anzac Day,” Hope said.
“This year was my first time marching without him. He taught me what Anzac Day is about and now, in his absence, I will wear his medals, and my great-grandfather’s medals, with pride and carry on their legacy.”
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Girls connect with local veterans, win national award (St Patrick’s College for Girls)
