Schools honouring the service of local veterans
The Hon Matt Keogh MP
Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
Primary and secondary students from all over the nation have had the opportunity to discover the stories of veterans in their local communities through the 2024 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards.
There’s more to war, conflict and peace operations than what is recorded in history books. For many people it was, and is, a significant chapter in their lives, and their service and sacrifices are remembered and told by these young Australians.
The entries were broad, showcasing the respectful and imaginative ways that students learnt about Australia’s military history and the experiences of veterans in their local community.
Entries included websites, songs, roving reporters, memorial gardens and walls, wreaths made from flowers grown at the school, artwork, crochet, dioramas, poetry, re-enactments, posters and even an escape room.
The winner of both the National Award and Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO award for veteran involvement was St Patrick’s College for Girls in Campbelltown, New South Wales, building an impressive website dedicated to telling the stories of local veterans who served in conflicts and peacekeeping missions since the First World War.
Entries for the 2025 Anzac Day Schools’ Awards are now open with the theme ‘Remembering Gallipoli: 110 years’.
A list of all the 2024 award-winning schools is below. For more information on the Anzac Day Schools’ Awards, including how to enter in the 2025 awards, visit the Anzac Portal.
2024 Anzac Day Schools' Awards winners
| Award | School Name | State |
|---|---|---|
| National Winner ($5,000) | St Patrick's College for Girls, Campbelltown | NSW |
| ACT State Winner ($3,000) | St Thomas More's Primary School | ACT |
| NSW State Winner ($3,000) | John Edmondson High School | NSW |
| NSW State Winner ($3,000) | Gosford High School | NSW |
| NT State Winner ($3,000) | Larrakeyah Primary School | NT |
| QLD State Winner ($3,000) | Southern Cross Catholic College | QLD |
| VIC State Winner ($3,000) | Guthridge Primary School | VIC |
| VIC State Winner ($3,000) | Prahran High School | VIC |
| WA State Winner ($3,000) | Woodbridge Primary School | WA |
| Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement ($2,000) | St Patrick's College for Girls, Campbelltown | NSW |
| Brigadier Bill Rolfe AO Award for Veteran Involvement ($2,000) | Wendouree Primary School | VIC |
| Award for Innovative Commemoration ($2,000) | Southern Cross Catholic College | QLD |
| Award for Innovative Commemoration ($2,000) | Kulnura Public School | NSW |
| Award for Creative Use of Technology ($2,000) | Anzac Terrace Primary School | WA |
Media Contacts:
- DVA Media: media.team@dva.gov.au
Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling provides 24/7 free confidential crisis support for current and ex-serving ADF personnel and their families on 1800 011 046 or the Open Arms website. Safe Zone Support provides anonymous counselling on 1800 142 072. Defence All-Hours Support Line provides support for ADF personnel on 1800 628 036 or the Defence Health Portal. Defence Member and Family Helpline provides support for Defence families on 1800 624 608