Kolbe and Lumen Christi students join Premier’s Anzac Student Tour

Students from Lumen Christi College and Kolbe Catholic College joined fellow students on a 10-day tour during the April school holidays to investigate the Anzac legacy.

The students commemorated the 81st anniversary of the end of World War ll, the 84th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin and the 84th anniversary of the fall of Singapore.

Students were selected as part of an annual competition, open to all Western Australian students in Years 8 to 11 with students writing a submission and taking part in an interviews, demonstrating their interest in Australian history and an understanding of the Anzac legacy.

“Some of the most impactful moments happened in Darwin due to my familial connection to the place.
“This trip really allowed me to connect my new knowledge on Australia’s involvement in the wars to my connections in the Australian Defence Force.

“Walking through the cemeteries and battle sights was truly sobering, as it showed both the magnitude of what happened, and allowed us the experience of standing where these events occurred. It was shocking to see the number of different people, all from different religions, nationalities, cultures, and ages who all served in both Darwin and Singapore.”

Asked how it deepened her understanding of Anzac Day, Bronte said:

“Walking through these sites and hearing the stories behind them made the history feel tangible, and it was far more powerful than learning about it in a classroom.

“Rather than simply learning facts out of a textbook in a classroom, the tour allows students to immerse themselves in the environments where these events took place, helping to build a deeper and more personal understanding. For me personally, standing in the places where these battles happened helped me understand the gravity and nature of what occurred in these sites.”

Year 11 student, Henriette from Kolbe Catholic College said:

“The most impactful moment of the tour for me was visiting Kranji War Cemetery in Singapore. The cemetery was exemplary kept, and it was clear the amount of effect went into its preservation. Prior to the tour, I had researched Sergeant Richard Newell Fitzpatrick, learning about his service and sacrifice during the Second World War. Being able to stand at his grave made that research deeply personal and incredibly real.

“Standing on the elevated hill and looking over the vast land, the moment felt surreal, and a touch of sadness lingered in the air. The commemorative ceremony was beautiful and brought some of us to tears. In that moment, history was no longer just something I had studied, it became a human story, one that I was connected to. I think this was a turning point for our group and I can confidently say that everyone was touched by this. The experience gave me a profound sense of responsibility to remember and share the story of the ANZACs, ensuring that their service is never forgotten.”

Since 2004, 276 students have been selected to tour and travel to Belgium, England, France, Greece, Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, Vietnam, Japan and destinations across Australia to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the Anzacs.