- Eight young Western Australians picked for tour of Europe commemorating Armistice
- 10-day Armistice tour will visit First World War sites in Belgium and France
- Participants will gain valuable insights into the meaning of mateship and the Anzac spirit
Eight young Western Australians have been selected for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour Belgium and France to commemorate the Centenary of Armistice.
Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley met with seven of the eight members of the tour group today and heard their views on military history, family connections, leadership and teaching.
It is these shared passions that brought together the five women, including two Aboriginal women, and three men that comprise the group.
During today's meeting with Mr Tinley, participants also met members of the Kelmscott-Pinjarra 10th Light Horse Memorial Troop, further developing their ideas about how the furnace of war has forged the Anzac spirit.
The group's 10-day tour of the former battlefields of Belgium and France will start in Paris on November 3, and includes attendance at the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux on November 11.
The State-funded tour is designed to bolster young Western Australians' knowledge of the implications of the First World War and of the Armistice that signalled its end whilst gaining valuable insights into the meaning of mateship and the Anzac spirit.
The group members are Lauren Barrie, 22 of Byford; Stefaan Bruce-Truglio, 25 of Carramar; Enfys Jerwood, 23 of Shelley; Kate Marshall, 25 of Beeliar; Natasha Meston, 23 of Woodlands; Steven Morganti, 22 of Henley Brook; Rufus Morse, 24 of East Fremantle; and Karwin Murray, 22 of Brookdale.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
"It's important to remember the sacrifices made by Western Australians during the First World War and pay our respects.
"That's why my Government has launched a number of initiatives and events to honour our Anzacs, and educate and engage the wider community about the Anzac Centenary story.
"Along with funding a youth tour of Europe during the Armistice Centenary celebrations, we have launched a web series about the importance of marking the Centenary of Anzac and held a series of receptions for veterans.
"The First World War killed and maimed more Australians than any other conflict. About 61,500 Australians died including 7,000 Western Australians.
"It's important that we remember and honour their sacrifice."
Comments attributed to Veterans Issues Minister Peter Tinley:
"The group of young people selected for the WA Centenary of Armistice Tour have a combined enthusiasm for military history, a passion for discovering and re-tracing family connections, and strong leadership and teaching skills.
"They will visit the former battlefields of France and Belgium and attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux on November 11, 2018.
"I met members of the group for the first time today and was impressed with the level of interest they displayed. I look forward to catching up with the whole group when we visit France.
"Importantly, I also look forward to these young people sharing the wealth of knowledge and insights that this experience is bound to generate on their return home to their respective communities in WA."
Premier's office - 6552 5000
Veterans Issues Minister's office - 6552 5300
