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Two students from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Enfield, have been named among the winners in the 2020 Premier’s Anzac Sprit School Prize Competition.

Year 10 student Mia Tsimouris and Year 9 student Lara Nguyen were recognised for their prize-winning entries in the state-wide competition.

Only 14 students across the state are awarded with this prestigious prize, run each year by the South Australian state government.

It gives students in Year 9 and 10 the opportunity to examine and empathise with the remarkable sacrifices of South Australian service men or women during the 20th century.

Using a range of sources to research the experiences of a South Australian Navy, Army, Airforce or Nursing service man or woman, students submit a 1500 word essay about how they embodied the characteristics of the Anzac spirit, such as courage, perseverance, mateship and resourcefulness.

Mia Tsimouris was recognised for her research on Major Patrick Howard Auld (M.C).

“In my entry, I wrote about Major Auld who served in both World War One and World War Two. In WW1, he was wounded but remained in action, for which he was awarded a Military Cross. After receiving a gunshot wound that took 9 months to recover, he re-joined his battalion, was recorded as missing in action, and was later a prisoner of war in Germany. He was then repatriated after the Armistice. Writing about him was a roller coaster!”, said Mia.

Lara Nguyen was awarded for her research on Dr John Charleton Yeatman.

“Participating in the ANZAC Spirit Prize has given me the opportunity to not only improve my research abilities, but to overcome challenging obstacles”, said Lara.

The prize for the 14 finalists in the 2020 competition was originally planned to be a 12-day trip to France to visit the war memorials and significant sites of both wars. As this is no longer possible due to COVID-19 restrictions, the winners will participate in a tour to Canberra and Darwin in April 2021.

“I look forward to trip the trip to Canberra and Darwin and the experiences that will come with it”, said Mia.

Lara said of the changed trip plans, “I am grateful to be given this prestigious opportunity regardless of where we go!”.

Mia and Lara follow the footsteps of previous OLSH College students. In 2018, Year 10 students Lajpreet Thind and Jenny Tran, now Year 12 students, were also each awarded a Premier’s Anzac Spirit School Prize.

Mia and Lara will receive their awards in a ceremony on September 28 at Anzac House, Torrens Parade Ground.

Pictured above L-R: Lara Nguyen, Malcolm McInerney, Manager, 2020 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize, and Mia Tsimouris.