Hon Colin Barnett MEc MLA,Hon Peter Collier BA DipEd MLC — 32 students mark Anzac centenary at Gallipoli

Western Australian school students will be part of history as they watch the sun rise over Gallipoli on the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing.

At Kings Park War Memorial today, Premier Colin Barnett named the 32 participants in the 2015 Premier’s ANZAC Student Tour. They will be among 8,000 Australians and 2,000 New Zealanders to attend the dawn service at North Beach in Turkey.

“It’s important we remember the enormous sacrifices made in World War I. These students will make a life-changing journey to learn about the significance of Gallipoli in our history,” Mr Barnett said.

The students, from years 8 to 11, will also visit key historical sites in Turkey during the 10-day tour.

Education Minister Peter Collier said the students were chosen based on interviews and the writing of an outstanding 1,000-word essay about the history of the Anzac legend and what it meant to them.

“We want our younger generations to learn more about Australia’s history and share what they have learned with their school communities,” Mr Collier said.

Mr Collier will lead the study tour and five teachers, including two country secondary school teachers, will also be supervisors on the tour.