WINNERS OF 11th ANNUAL ANZAC WRITING COMPETITION

Once again students from the Riverina and Central West have showed off their creative writing talents and history research skills through their high-quality entries in the 11th annual ANZAC writing competition organised by Riverina MP Michael McCormack.

The Deputy Prime Minister was impressed with having received more than 900 entries from 47 schools across the electorate.

Mr McCormack said whilst all entries told a story which conveyed the gravity of war, the winning entries stood out for their reflection on the importance of our National Day and how different last year’s commemoration was in the shadow of COVID-19.

“I want to sincerely thank each and every student who took the time to put pen to paper or finger to keyboard to participate in the competition and to the teachers for their guidance and support, ” Mr McCormack said.

“Everyone who took part should be proud of their work and those whose wrote winner and highly commended entries should be especially happy with themselves, with each of them set to receive a book prize for their efforts.

“As we seek to return to a form of normality in the wake of COVID-19, it is pleasing ANZAC services will be back this year. I have no doubt people will return to local memorials and cenotaphs to pay their respects, to thank and remember all those who have served.”

Entries were put into primary and secondary categories, with the Riverina electorate divided into North, South, East and West divisions.

Each of the winning entries can be found in Mr McCormack’s 11th annual ANZAC Day commemorative booklet, which is currently arriving in letterboxes throughout the electorate.

Striking stories and respectful recollections of heroic deeds and memories of local men and women from across the Riverina and Central West, including Ariah Park, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Temora, Wagga Wagga and Yerong Creek, fill the 36-page booklet.

North division – Primary schools

Winner:                       Ciane Marks, 8, Yr 3, Parkes East Public School

Highly commended:    Amber Roach, 10, Yr 5, Bogan Gate Public School

North division – Secondary schools

Winner:                       Chloe Amery, 14, Yr 8, Parkes Christian School

Highly commended:    Madeleine Cannon, 15, Yr 10, Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes

South division – Primary schools

Winner:                       Lewis Downing, 11, Yr 6, Estella Public School

Highly commended:    Winifred Hollis, 12, Yr 6, Henschke Primary School, Wagga Wagga

South division – Secondary schools

Winner:                       Karin Rezkalla, 14, Yr 9, The Riverina Anglican College, Wagga Wagga

Highly commended:    Brianna Rapmund, 14, Yr 9, Kooringal High School

East division – Primary schools

Winner:                       Christyne Calub, 8, Yr 3, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Gundagai

Highly commended:    Thomas Gibson, 11, Yr 6, E A Southee Public School, Cootamundra

East division – Secondary schools

Winner:                       Sarah Miller, 12, Yr 7, Hennessy Catholic College, Young

Highly commended:    Caitlin Brodbeck, 14, Yr 9, St Raphael’s Catholic School, Cowra

West division – Primary schools

Winner:                       Carus Gray, 11, Yr 6, St Anne’s Central School, Temora

Highly commended:    Rhys Bischoff, 12, Yr 6, West Wyalong Public School

West division – Secondary schools

Winner:                       Caitlin Neucom, 15, Yr 10, Coolamon Central School

Highly commended:    Mitchell Dunstan, 13, Yr 8, St Anne’s Central School, Temora