Heritage Christian School student Timothy Gittins has been selected as one of just 18 NSW students to receive a Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship, earning the opportunity to travel to Greece and Crete on a military history study tour.
The scholarship will see Timothy join students from across NSW on a two-week tour during the Term 3 school holidays, visiting sites of major significance to Australia’s role in the Second World War.
The tour marks the 85th anniversary of the 1941 Greece and Crete campaigns, in which thousands of Australian troops fought alongside Allied and Greek forces against the Axis invasion.
More than 58,000 Allied troops, including large numbers of Australians from the 6th Division, were deployed to Greece in 1941. After the withdrawal from mainland Greece, more than 26,000 Allied troops, including thousands of Australians, evacuated to Crete to defend the island.
The campaign came at a heavy cost, with 274 Australians killed, 507 wounded and more than 3,000 taken prisoner.
Students will visit key battlefields at the Tempe and Pinios gorges, the Commonwealth War Graves at Suda Bay and the 6th Australian Division Memorial at Stavromenos. They will also attend commemorative services and complete research projects exploring Australia’s wartime service.
More than 200 students from 148 government and non-government secondary schools across NSW applied for this year’s scholarship.
NSW Premier Chris Minns congratulated the successful students.
“A massive congratulations to the 2026 scholarship recipients,” he said.
“This is such a unique opportunity for the recipients to deepen their understanding of Australians at war on a tour through these significant historical sites.
“The legacy of those who served in the Greek and Crete campaigns will be remembered in a special way by these 18 students for years to come.”
Minister for Veterans David Harris said the tour would help preserve the stories of Australians who served overseas.
“This tour will be a deeply meaningful experience, offering powerful insight into the bravery and sacrifice of Australians in the Second World War.
“By visiting important sites in Greece and Crete, these students will help ensure the stories of those who served far from home are preserved with respect.
“As a former school principal, I am proud to see our government supporting young people to learn about Australia’s military history and provide a reminder that the freedoms we have today are a result of the service and sacrifice of our defence personnel.”
The scholarship recipients will travel from 26 September to 8 October.
More information about the Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship is available at www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship.
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