Catholic College Sale’s Cassie Lenné has been selected as one of the 12 secondary school students from across the state to receive the prestigious Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
Cassie will join other successful recipients on a 10-day international study tour in 2024 to honour the courage of Australians who fought and died far from home.
“It’s an honour to receive the prize, and I hope that I can begin to further understand the importance of the Anzac spirit in today’s context,” Cassie said.
“I’m happy to be a part of such a talented and like-minded team of young people and am looking forward to the chance to connect with my family history, as my relatives have a military background.
“Although our itinerary has not been confirmed yet, I’m really looking forward to visiting historical sites like Gallipoli and Troy that I’ve learned about throughout my schooling career.
“I would love to gain a deeper understanding of the Anzac experience and the shared history between Türkiye and Australia by exploring the historical landscape and culture that connects our two countries.”
Since its inception in 2005, the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize, an annual competition open to students enrolled in Years 9 to 12, has been awarded to more than 500 students.
Students are required to convey their interpretation of the Anzac spirit and what it means today in a diverse and multicultural Australia through written, creative, or digital formats.
The Catholic College Sale student was motivated by her curiosity to explore the Anzac journey and the roots of the Anzac spirit, which, coupled with an eagerness to immerse herself in a new culture, led Cassie to apply for the program.
“Besides the fact that I wanted to travel and experience a different culture during the study tour of Türkiye, I was excited to learn more about the Anzac journey and begin to understand the sacrifices of Australian service people,” Cassie said.
“The Anzac soldiers have made such a lasting impact on Australian history that I wanted to explore how the Anzac spirit still remains relevant in the modern day.”
Cassie emphasised the importance of young people recognising, understanding and appreciating the contributions made by Australian service personnel, highlighting their tireless efforts and selflessness, which have left a lasting impact on the freedoms and opportunities we have today.
“By acknowledging the significance of the Anzac spirit, younger generations can draw inspiration from their values of resilience, unity, camaraderie, courage and resourcefulness,” she said.
“These concepts are still profoundly relevant in modern Australia, and young people like myself should strive to embody them.”
Despite her optimistic outlook after submitting her application, Cassie was completely taken aback upon learning she had won the prestigious Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
“After submitting my entry, I was hopeful but was not in any way confident that I would actually receive the prize,” Cassie said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the other students’ winning entries, and they are truly outstanding. The news of winning was truly unexpected, but I am grateful for the opportunity that it grants me.”
The Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman, announced this year’s Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize recipients at a recent presentation event.
“We’re excited to award 12 Victorian students the Spirit of Anzac Prize – a unique opportunity for young people to experience the journey of our ANZACS and gain a deeper understanding of Australia’s wartime history,” Ms Suleyman said.
“Congratulations to each of the award recipients and teachers who will commemorate the Anzac legacy as they embark on the trip of a lifetime next year.”
