Spirit of Anzac

By Lilly O’Gorman
MORE young people than ever are keeping the Anzac spirit alive and a new student award named after Berwick’s own World War I hero is set to keep the trend going.
The La Trobe Tetley Anzac Student Prize was announced this week by La Trobe MP Laura Smyth in an effort to encourage students to research and commemorate local Anzac veterans.
The prize is awarded in memory of Arthur Norman Tetley of Berwick who died during one of the bloodiest attacks in Australian military history; the charge at The Nek on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.
Arthur suffered serious gunshot wounds at Lone Pine, Gallipoli. He was 26 when he was buried at sea on 8 August 1915 between Anzac Cove and Mudros, Lemnos.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Secretary of the Berwick RSL sub-branch George Nicholson said the award would contribute to the theme of this year’s commemoration effort aimed squarely at young people.
“I think it’s fantastic and it is carrying through in line with our theme, which is encouraging youth to carry on the Anzac tradition,” Mr Nicholson said.
“Things like this all go towards our objective in prolonging and ensuring that our Anzac tradition continues into the future.”
Mr Nicholson said he and other RSL members had visited local schools in the lead-up to Anzac Day and had been very impressed with the commemoration programs.
“We’re very impressed with the work that teachers are doing,” he said.
“There has been a noticeable trend in the last decade which has seen a growth in student interest in Anzac tradition.
“I think it comes back to the schools recognising it, and that’s why I say the teachers are doing such a great job of recognising it.”
As part of the theme, Haileybury College student and Cardinia Shire’s Young Citizen of the Year Sara Forte will deliver the speech at this year’s 11am service in High Street, Berwick.
Ms Smyth agreed that there appeared to be resurgence in interest in the stories of our war veterans.
“Our soldiers and nurses made brave and honourable contributions to the nation when they served overseas and today’s students are interested in hearing more about their lives, who they were and how their efforts have assisted in bringing about a more peaceful existence for Australia,” she said.
“Furthermore young Australians will learn about Anzac history as part of the new Australian curriculum.”
Ms Smyth said she would be writing to local schools, encouraging students to take part in the prize.
The authors of the five best essays, as assessed by Anzac historian Dr Ross McMullin, receive the award and a signed copy of Dr McMullin’s new book, Farewell, Dear People.
The first prize will be presented this year on Remembrance Day.
“This prize specifically focuses on local veterans and encourages students to contact local veteran organisations, library resources, Australian Government Anzac online resources and the Australian War Memorial data-bases to research and reflect on how locals have made up the Anzac legend,” Ms Smyth said.
“I have named our local prize in memory of Mr Arthur Norman Tetley, a local Berwick veteran, who enlisted as a trooper in 8th Light Horse and was killed taking part in the tragic Anzac charge at The Nek on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915, which featured in the movie Gallipoli.”