Tour 2007 - Student Participants
Bree CLARKE
Geraldton Secondary College
Bree Clarke is currently a Year 11 student at Geraldton Senior College, where she enjoys many subjects, including history and economics and is looking forward to completing her TEE in 2007.
Bree represented Geraldton Senior College at the United Nations Youth Association Hammarskjöld Trophy and General Assembly debates and received an Australian Defence Force Teamwork and Leadership Award.
Bree enjoys playing water polo, basketball and hockey and represented her school in the Country Week hockey competition. When she leaves school Bree wants to pursue a career in foreign affairs and international relations. Bree believes that overseas travel will only increase her interest in foreign cultures.
The ANZAC tour 2007 will be Bree's first experience of overseas travel and she is looking forward to discovering the history and culture of many other countries while also increasing her knowledge Australian military history. Bree is also looking forward to visiting the Western Front where her great grandfather served with 11 Battalion and learning more about the experiences of four great uncles who served during World War Two.
Georgina FRASER
Mount Lawley Senior High School
Georgina Fraser is in Year 12 student at Mount Lawley Senior High, where she is Head Girl for 2007 and a School Council and Student Council Representative. While at the school, Georgina has been involved in the Special and Visual Performing Arts Program.
Georgina is grateful to represent her school, community and State on the ANZAC Student Tour. In addition, the Tour represents a significant family milestone in that she will be the first family member to visit Gallipoli to pay respects to “Uncle Jack” (Pte John Fraser, 3 Company, 15th Battalion, AIF) who gave his life, aged 23, at Lone Pine on the 9/10 of May 1915. Georgina was fortunate in getting to know all of Uncle Jack’s brothers and sister, before they passed away and is thankful for the opportunity to create an inter-generational bridge for those family members who remain.
Krista MCMEEKEN
Esperance Senior High School
Krista McMeekan is currently a year 11 student at Esperance Senior High School; where she was selected as a 2006 Aboriginal Student Representative and as a 2007 school prefect for the student council.
For the past three years Krista has represented her school in Tournament of the Minds gaining tournament honours at the 2004 National Finals. In 2005 she attended the UWA Campus Challenge and in 2006 won a gold medal representing her school on the Country Week Speech and Debate team.
Krista’s favourite pastimes include swimming/surfing and art. Her love of music inspired her to learn the clarinet, piano and organ
When Krista leaves school she intends to join the Royal Australian Air Force as a legal officer .
Krista is very excited about taking part in the Anzac Student Tour and is looking forward to visiting Gallipoli, France and Belgium.
Krista’s grandfather; Private William Gerald Hallam, served in World War Two including the first, third and sixth Sections of the BIPOD platoon (Australian Army Service Corps). He served in the Middle East and New Guinea and inspired Krista’s interest in history and military service.
For Krista the tour is an excellent opportunity to explore other cultures and acknowledge and pay respect to those who gave their lives in defence of Australia.
Jesse DURDIN
Esperance Senior High School
Jesse Durdin lives on a farm 15 kilometres from Esperance, and enjoys participating in all the tasks of farm life. He is in Year 10 at Esperance Senior High School, where he does well in all subjects.
Jesse has a particular interest in music, which has seen him learn piano for nine years and cornet for five years. Jesse currently plays his cornet in the school concert band and school jazz band, as well as with the local brass band. He enjoys playing all sports, but particularly hockey, and will often take advantage of the many pristine beaches that Esperance has to offer by going camping with family and friends.
Jesse has been an avid reader of war history for many years, and is looking forward to seeing the many places that he has read about. He has three great grandfathers who saw service in the Second World War. Mervyn Cannon served with the 7 Ordinance Depot, Harrie Brock saw service with 48 Infantry Battalion, and John Durdin served with 2/113 Brigade.
John SHADDICK
Guildford Grammar School
John Shaddick is a Year 12 at Guildford Grammar School, where he is a school prefect. Academically he performs well, with a particular interest in the humanities.
John is captain of his school’s debating team and is was a state finalist for public speaking. He is a member of the school’s rowing team and is chairman of the City of Swan’s Youth Advisory Committee. John is currently obtaining his pilot’s licence and hopes to be a property developer upon leaving school.
John’s grandfather, Douglas Murray fought in the Welsh regiment in North Africa during World War Two. Although John has no direct relation to the ANZACs he is excited about the student tour as it is an opportunity to better understand the shaping of the ANZAC legend and the effect it has had upon Australia.
Callan TUCKER
Sevenoaks Senior College
Callan Tucker is currently a Year 11 student at Sevenoaks Senior College and has a special interest in practical geography. He has held a school leadership position for the past five years and has represented both his school and community at such activities as the West Australian Young Leaders’ Conference and the Environmental Minimal Impact Camp.
Callan enjoys body boarding and all sports and on leaving school would like to pursue a career as a Federal Police Officer.
He is excited about participating in the ANZAC Student Tour and believes it is a privilege to visit the birthplace of the ANZAC spirit a privilege. Callan is also looking forward to experiencing the different cultures and is extremely proud to represent his state and school, believing there is a point in every Australian citizen’s life where they must pay their respects to those who have served their country.
Leon MCGRATH
John Forrest Senior High School
Leon McGrath is in Year 11 at John Forrest Senior High School, studying TEE subjects in order to pursue his goal of studying law and commerce at university.
Leon has been a member of the Academic Challenge Program in Years 8-10. He has won numerous certificates of excellence and citizenship awards while at school, a highlight being named Year 10 Dux in 2006. Leon is a student councillor for 2007.
Leon’s grandparents both served in the British Army during the Second World War. Lillian McGrath was in the ATS (Territorial Service) and Thomas Robert William McGrath served in many countries and was with the 6th Airborne Signals regiment that parachuted into France on D-Day in 1944. Leon’s great-grandfather Thomas Joseph McGrath was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1917, having seen service at Passchendaele, France and in Italy during World War One.
The ANZAC student tour will be Leon’s first overseas trip. He is excited about the prospect of representing his school, state and country. Leon is very honoured to be able to visit the places where so many Australians and other soldiers lost their lives.
Damian POLECKI
Jurien Bay District High School
Damian Polecki is in Year 10 at Jurien Bay District High School and his favourite subjects include multimedia, physical education studies and society and environment. He has received a number of awards throughout his schooling career.
Damian’s interests include sport, arts, film production, music, photography, chess and aquatic life. He always sets goals to achieve and this is shown by his accomplishments outside school such as winning the scholastic invention competition, becoming a finalist in the Bond University Film and Television Awards, and receiving highly commended certificates in the recent Chevron Environment photography competition.
Damian entered ANZAC student tour 2007 to learn as much as possible about the world and is particularly interested in discovering what it is like away from Australia. Damian is very proud to represent Western Australia and believes the skills he will learn from experiences related to the ANZAC tour will be invaluable.
Rebekah VALLANCE
Northam Senior High School
Rebekah Vallance is in Year 10 at Northam Senior High School. Rebekah enjoys all her subjects but has special interest in drama and photography. In 2007 Rebekah will be participating in a specialised business course at the school and will graduate Year 12 with a Certificate II in Business. Outside school, Rebekah enjoys reading, playing the piano, photography and writing. Rebekah is also involved in children’s ministry at the Northam Church of Christ.
Having never travelled overseas before, Rebekah is looking forward to participating in the 2007 ANZAC Student Tour. Rebekah is very proud of her family’s military history. Her great-grandfather, Frederick Vallance, joined 10 Light Horse in World War One but was re-deployed to the 4 Division Ammunition Column and sent to the Western Front. Her great-grandfather, John Harbord served in Darwin during World War Two. Another relative William McMeekin served in the British Army during the Second World War; Grandfather, Leslie Vallance, in the AIF: and Great-Uncle, Laurie Gilchrist, RAAF.
The 2007 Anzac Student Tour will enable Rebekah to visit the places her Great-Grandfather fought in during WWI, to see other countries and cultures, and make new friends.
Ashlee KOVALEVS
Ballajura Community College
Ashlee Kovalevs is currently a Year 8 student at Ballajura Community College where she is in the academic extension class. Her favourite subjects are English and Society and Environment. Ashlee plays the trumpet and enjoys performing in the school Concert and Jazz Bands. She is a keen debater and was a member of the school team which won the Year 8 Western Australian Debating League grand final in 2006. Ashlee has been studying jazz, tap and classical ballet since the age of two. She also loves reading. Ashlee is unsure of what she wants to do after finishing school. She does know, however, that she wants to help people and make a positive difference in the world.
Ashlee travelled overseas early in 2006 with her school band on a cultural/music tour of New Zealand. Ashlee found the Maori culture fascinating and is excited to have the opportunity to broaden her knowledge of other cultures as a participant on the 2007 ANZAC Tour. Ashlee is honoured to be representing her school and state overseas. She looks forward to being able to acknowledge the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the past including her great, great grandfathers, Frances Kelly (28th Bn AIF), who was killed on the Western Front, and George Howard (14th Company, Australian Services Corps), who served in Gallipoli and on the Western Front. She has numerous other relatives who have served in other wars including WW2 and more recently the Gulf War.
Henry MADDOCK
Mazenod College
Henry Maddock is in Year 9 at Mazenod College. Henry shows a great interest in all of his subjects but prefers society and environment and English.
Henry enjoys all sports, especially cricket, football, tennis, basketball and badminton and has a passion for public speaking. He won his school’s Public Speaking Competition in 2006 and was a member of the winning debate team in 2005. Henry is considering studying to be a doctor when he leaves school.
Henry was delighted when he was chosen to participate in the 2007 Anzac Student Tour and feels extremely privileged to have the opportunity to personally show his gratitude to all those who served Australia in time of war. Henry is proud that he will be representing his school and state on the Tour.
Tahlia MURDOCH
Dongara District High School
Tahlia Murdoch is in Year 9 at Dongara District High School, where she is involved in the academic extension program, via the ATP Online program.
Tahlia enjoys all subjects and is particularly interested in English and history and has won Literacy and General Excellence awards for the past four years.
Outside of school, Tahlia has a very strong interest in Wado Ryu Karate, recently winning her brown belt. She now enjoys training the junior students in Dongara in the sport. For the past two years, she has been a member of the Dongara Youth Group and has played netball and basketball for the past four years.
When she leaves school, Tahlia wishes to pursue a career in history and english, and is interested in writing and presenting documentaries, or to become a famous author.
The Anzac Student Tour will be Tahlia's first experience overseas and she cannot wait to walk through Anzac Cove and the trenches at Gallipoli, where so many brave men fought and lost their lives for Australia. Tahlia is very thrilled and proud to be selected to represent not only her school, but also Western Australia in foreign countries.
Samuel SCAIFE
Churchlands Senior High School
Sam Scaife is a Year 8 student at Churchlands Senior High School where he is participating in the academic accelerated-learning program.
Sam has a love for learning but particularly enjoys history and science in which he has received national awards. Through his school, Sam has been involved in many leadership roles form representative and student councillor. He also enjoys being a team player and demonstrates this through his involvement in numerous interschool debates.
Outside of school, Sam enjoys sports such as swimming and soccer, as well as social events and is involved in his local youth group. When Sam finishes year 12, his ambition is to pursue a career in medicine.
Although Sam has already travelled overseas, the 2007 ANZAC student tour will be his first visit to Europe. This trip will provide him with a valuable insight into the First World War. Sam is especially looking forward to visiting the battlefields where the Australian soldiers fought and attending the memorial services that are dedicated to these men.
Sam’s great-grandfather was involved in World War 2. He was a British soldier based in India and took part in the defence of Burma. Stories from family members that sparked Sam’s interest in war history.
Cameron WHITE
Willeton Senior High School
Cameron White is in Year 8 at Willetton Senior High School and is involved in the Academic Talent Program. Cameron enjoys English, society and environment and science and has won awards for his efforts in these subjects.
Cameron has taken part in school debating and numerous competitions including the Electric Vehicle Challenge. Outside of school, Cameron plays tennis and his ambition is to study medicine and become a paediatrician.
The ANZAC Student Tour will be Cameron’s second overseas trip and he is looking forward to experiencing all aspects of this tour. Cameron’s great, great uncle, Adolf Knable served on the Western Front and another relative, Hamel White, won a Military Medal at Mouqet Farm. His great grandfather, William Chalwell, served with 11 Battalion as band sergeant and stretcher bearer.
Cameron’s father is currently serving in 10 Light Horse Regiment and he has an uncle serving in the Pilbarra Regiment and another uncle serving in Head Quarters 13th Brigade.
- 2007 Tour Topics
- Historical Significance
- Participants (Student)
- Participants (Staff)
- Tour Diary
- Media Statements
- 2007 Tour Extras
- Lone Pine Dedication
- Official Photograph