The Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize was first established in 2007. The prize aims to encourage young South Australians to recognise, connect with and maintain the ANZAC spirit.
Participants in the competition research and develop a historical argument demonstrating how a lesser-known South Australian serviceperson displayed the Anzac Spirit during World War 1 and/or World War Two. Students also complete a source analysis documenting and explaining the origin, content, context and purpose of the primary and secondary sources used to complete their entry.
The competition provides the opportunity for young South Australians to identify, examine, and articulate the nature of commitment and, in many cases, the sacrifices of Australian service men and women in the service of their country during times of conflict.
Students judged the winners of the competition are taken on an escorted tour of a place associated with Australians at war. Past tours have included:
· The Western Front (France, Belgium)
· Korea and Singapore
· Gallipoli
· Vietnam (See some of those student reflections here)
· Darwin
The Virtual War Memorial Australia is a valuable resource for students entering the competition. In 2025, 100% of the winning entries acknowledged the VWMA in their bibliographies and/or personal statements and 95% of all the entries submitted for judging listed the VWMA in their bibliographies/personal statements.
We provide assistance for the prize in the following ways:
- In-class support to read service records and unit diaries (or via zoom, phone or email for country schools). Support is also available for students completing the prize as a lunchtime or after school activity.
- Research guides for WW1 and WW2 servicepeople and guides to reading Service Records and Unit Diaries which can be found in Resources for Teachers and Resources for Students, along with other useful guides and resources.
Please register your students with the VWMA so their work can be loaded to the profile of the serviceperson they research and become an important part of the public record. To arrange for assistance and to register your students email us at [email protected]
Go to the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize website for competition entry requirements and to check the list of servicepeople formerly the subject of a winning entry who cannot be researched again.
View Past Entries |
Teacher Workshop - Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize - Strengthening Student entries.
WEDNESDAY 1 April 2026
4.00-5.30pm
ONLINE VIA MS TEAMS (link to be sent after registration)
This online workshop is for teachers interested in supporting student entries for the 2026 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize. In this workshop, you will hear from members of the judging panel, education staff from the Virtual War Memorial Australia & previously successful supporting teachers, You will find out more about the application and judging processes, and gain some "tips and tricks" on ways that you can help strengthen your student's entries. There is no cost to attend.
To register click HERE