By Ethan Benedicto
Two local students from the City of Casey have been awarded the prestigious Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize for their contributions to commemorating the ANZAC legacy through what was described to be creative and heartfelt contributions.
Kylinda Zhang, a Year 11 student from Nossal High School and Mahdia Qasimi, a Year 10 student from Hampton Park Secondary College will be among the 12 secondary students who will embark on a 10-day international study tour to Turkey.
Kylinda curated a short story from the perspective of a Wadawurrung veteran who is struggling with PTSD and dives into their experiences while they worked on the Great Ocean Road Memorial.
“When I started researching I realised a lot of the Indigenous people at the time did not get the recognition after both wars (WW1 and WW2),” Kylinda said.
Research and accuracy were crucial to her, ensuring that there was a proper representation of firstly, a First Nations man, and secondly a Wadawurring man and their people’s culture.
To ensure cultural authenticity, Kylinda “paid attention to the language they used and made sure I didn’t use anything that wouldn’t have been appropriate”, she said.
Her short piece was commended as an “emotional story from First Nations perspective and demonstrated understanding of war history – [a] strong personal statement.”
Mahdia was one of the only two students who opted for a non-written medium to deliver their story, and was since applauded for her “first-hand experience of war”.
Her video focused on the absence of memorials and recognition for women in war and was inspired by her research as well as the personal connection of a close family member – who was her piece’s main subject – who experienced firsthand the impacts of war in Afghanistan.
“When I was researching the World Wars and ANZAC, I saw that women had important roles, from raising children to running businesses.
“So when I read about that, it felt like they have always been ignored like they haven’t been recognised – there aren’t many memorial places for women in war,” she said.
Both Mahdia and Kylinda were more than thrilled to have been chosen for the award, expressing their eagerness to be able to travel in the upcoming school holidays.
The students, who will be accompanied by three teachers, will visit various historical sites in Istanbul and Cannakkale, with the goal of learning about the courageous actions of those who fought and died during the Gallipoli campaign.
The Minister for Veterans, Natalie Suleyman said that the Premier’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize is “an incredible opportunity for Victorian students to explore Australia’s wartime and peacekeeping history, and reflect on the precious freedoms we have today that we owe to the sacrifices of our veterans”.
“We are pleased to support the annual Prize and winning students who will soon embark on an unforgettable journey to locations in Turkey that hold special significance in Australia’s wartime history,” she said.
While Kylinda is looking forward to experiencing new cultures in Turkey, she also said that the experience will “shape my understanding of ANZAC and my future perspective of war in general”.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and to see new things but most of all to really honour what the ANZACs did.
“It’ll be confronting to be exactly where they were and just to think of all these people, even those my age who went and fought,” she said.
Mahdia is on the same page, and while she is more than keen to be exposed to new experiences, being recognised for her efforts “is an honour”.
“I feel proud and thankful, especially because it shows the value of courage and sacrifice and their importance,” she said.
For Kylinda, the challenges of writing the story extended beyond the realms of historical and cultural accuracy, with a proper sensitiveness needed when touching on PTSD.
Mahdia, who only came to Australia only three years ago spent sleepless nights researching the history of ANZAC and all things related; ultimately when she decided on her video piece, she also included a painting of her own women’s memorial.
Her passion for understanding and honouring the past has also played a hand in influencing her future aspirations, and while still uncertain, has expressed interest in joining the ADF.
Inspired by her experiences as a refugee and the kindness of ADF soldiers at a camp in Dubai, she said she wanted, one day, to “join the army, to help people as they helped us”.
