AN EAGER eye for military research will send St Martin’s Lutheran College Year 9 student Daisy Yates overseas after recently being awarded with a 2019 Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize.
The award provides opportunity for young South Australians to examine and empathise the remarkable sacrifices of the state’s service men and women during the 20th century.
Ms Yates focused her essay-based project around South East World War II veteran Charlie Miller, exploring how he demonstrated the Anzac spirit.
Up against around 1000 students, Ms Yates will now be one of 16 students to attend a study tour in Vietnam later this year as part of the award.
Completing the project in her own time around school work, Ms Yates said she was honoured to represent the South East.
“I saw an advertisement in the daily school forum and immediately thought I should jump on the opportunity,” she said.
“I enjoy learning about history and I wanted to push and excel my learning to an extra level.
“It feels great to have all my hard work rewarded.”
A member of the 612 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets, Ms Miller wanted to work with Mr Miller after meeting him through the cadet program.
“I was interested in exploring his story,” she said.
“It was very eye-opening talking to Charlie in person and learning about where he was born, his personal life and his experiences in the war.”
Ms Yates said she is grateful for joining the squadron and having the opportunity to meet Mr Miller.
“I joined the cadets around two years ago with a main focus on developing my leadership skills,” she said.
“I have learnt so many new things from being involved which I would not necessarily learn at school.”
Ms Yates will have to research other military personnel as part of her trip.
“I have chosen to explore Flight Lieutenant Anthony ‘Tony’ Casadio who was a local helicopter pilot in the Navy,” she said.
“He was also based at the 612 squadron and a Tenison Woods College student, so he is just another South East local who served well.
“Overall I looking forward to the trip and exploring the country’s military history along the way.”
Ms Yates will visit the Governor’s house on July 1 to receive her award before travelling to Vietnam from September 29 to October 13.
The selected students will delve deeper into the history, geography and politics of the Vietnam War.
