Anzac Day 

Commemorating the Spirit of Anzac Day here at Mullauna College

The Spirit of ANZAC Prize

Back in August of last year, I applied to the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize (SOAP), which is an initiative run by the Victorian government with the aim of involving more students in ANZAC history. Submissions could be made in a wide range of formats: essays, poems, videos, songs, artworks. The theme for the submissions was “What does the ANZAC spirit mean today in a diverse in multicultural Australia?”

My submission was an ink drawing titled ‘Divide’. 

It explores some of the issues I feel about how ANZAC Day is spoken about, particularly in schools. As we get further away from the First World War, less people know anyone who fought, and we run the risk of glorifying or glossing over the actual events in favour of a simplified mythology of the ANZACs. We display posters with silhouetted pictures of soldiers against poppies and a sunset, play the last post and recite the ode.  “Lest we forget” is only a useful sentiment if we don't have the knowledge of the things we are not supposed to forget. 

Which brings me back to the Spirit of ANZAC Prize. My artwork challenged the idea of the ANZAC spirit, going as far to say that if we don’t change how we talk about the ANZACs, and particularly Gallipoli, our generation will grow up knowing nothing more than a legend. I debated for a long time whether I should make this artwork, and then whether I should even submit it. The Department of Veterans Affairs surely didn’t want to give an award to a rogue art student challenging the entire notion of the ANZAC Spirit. But perhaps I had underestimated them; they saw the value in what I was trying to say, and the place of genuine honesty and curiosity that it was coming from. 

In November, I found out that I and eleven other students from across Victoria had been selected as the recipients of the prize. In July, we’ll be travelling to Türkiye on a study tour exploring the history and truth behind the ANZAC myth. I hope I’ll find the answers to my questions there. 

It’s a reminder to all students: continue to think critically about the things that are presented to you.

At the SOAP award ceremony, I was introduced to Mr Mohammed Abdur Rahman, a Governor of the Shrine of Remembrance. Mr Rahman is a resident of Mitcham and a veteran, having served in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment in East Timor in 2000. He is also a selfless volunteer and was recognised by the Australian Government Department of Health & Aged Care for 30 years of community service in 2022. It was an absolute honour to introduce and welcome him to Mullauna College as our community guest speaker at our 2024 ANZAC Assembly. 

His theme was, of course, the Spirit of ANZAC!

Lauren Baker

2023 SOAP winner

MC Visual Arts Captain