In October last year, I wrote a Year 9 History essay on the contemporary relevance of ANZAC Day. Simple enough, as essay writing is the currency of the high school Humanities student. However, little did I know that this essay would lead to a life changing (and life enhancing) experience, and a turning point in the way I view my schooling and future.
My essay was submitted by Merici College for the Simpson Prize, a national competition funded by the Federal Department of Education and supported by the History Teacher’s Association of Australia. In December I was thrilled to be advised that I was the ACT Winner for the Simpson Prize. As a result, I would join an all-expenses paid overseas study tour to Singapore, and a precursor Canberra-based tour undertaking research at cultural institutions like the National Archives and Australian War Memorial. During the Canberra tour, I was honoured to be selected from the winners’ group to read an excerpt of my essay at the Parliament House Presentation Ceremony and receive a medal and certificate from the Federal Minister of Education, the Hon. Jason Clare. Whilst on this tour, we were also hosted for morning tea at Government House in a private event with His Excellency the Governor General, David Hurley.
The Singapore trip was centred around the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Kranji War Memorial. To explore Singapore with a group of teenagers from around Australia and chaperoned by experts from Australia was both educational and lots of fun. This was my first experience travelling overseas on my own and it was beyond exciting! The itinerary was a carefully curated mix of fun (Sentosa Island, Night Safaris, Orchard Road Shopping), cultural exchange (tea ceremonies, visiting religious sites and temples) and on a more solemn note, visiting sites of Australian significance from the Second World War. Many of these sites relate the period around the Fall of Singapore in September 1942. The repercussions of this military defeat echo through decades and geographies and play out in contemporary geopolitical postures across the Asia-Pacific.
The value of the study tour kicked in with a jolt when I stood on the ground where people – often not much older than me – sacrificed their lives, exhibited bravery, and on occasions made errors that lead to cascading and horrific events. This experience will never be truly replicated by anything in the classroom. It was humbling to stand in the bunkers at Fort Canning, hearing stories and accounts of those taken prisoner, holding out until the last minute against an invading force. It was chilling to stand in the Ford Factory, the site of the surrender by the Allies to Japanese forces and know that was the gateway in time and place to the atrocities Australian prisoners of war experienced in the years that followed. At the Kranji Cemetery Dawn Service, we met several Australian and New Zealand military service men and women and reconnected with Minister Jason Clare. I was again honoured to be asked to represent the group and lay a wreath during the Service.
Unexpectedly, my experience during the tour has influenced my future path through senior school and beyond.
Like many teenagers I worry about the future and desperately want to be part of solving planetary-scale challenges. Initially, I thought my best path to contributing to the solution was to continue my focus on science in the last two years at school. However, this recent study of history has assisted me in understanding the importance of the humanities as a reflective, problem-solving tool and possible blueprint for the future. It has also triggered an interested in potential military service.
I strongly encourage other Year 9 and 10 students to participate in future Simpson Prize competitions. This year’s Simpson Prize questions (suitable for both year groups curriculum) are available at The Simpson Prize 2025 | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au). You never really know where the path will lead.
Eliza Bell, Year 10 student
