One Nagle College student will embark on a trip of a lifetime in March, when she travels to Gallipoli as part of the Victorian Government’s Spirit of ANZAC Prize.

Year 11 student, Angelina Clancy, will become the third Nagle College representative to visit Gallipoli and the Western Front, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, announced today, following on from student Brianna Janson’s trip two years ago and teacher Julie Henley’s visit last year.

Meanwhile, fellow student Roni Corby has received the chance to join the Canberra tour through the same program, representing Victoria to visit the Australian War Memorial in June.

“It’s a great experience for both of these girls to get a taste of Australia’s war history just over 100 years on from the landing on the Gallipoli shores,” Mr Bull said.

The students were selected after submitting projects that reflect what the ANZAC spirit means today in a diverse and multicultural Australia.

“Both girls fully deserve these honours after their great entries that addressed the tough criteria really well, while also giving an insight of life at war,” Mr Bull said.

“Angelina also interviewed me last year as part of her submission and put together a fantastic piece,” he said.

Angelina, looking forward to her 16-day trip, said she also interviewed other people in the school and the wider community.

“I didn’t have anyone in my family who went to war so I got my best friend’s great grandfather, whose granddaughter spoke on his behalf,” she said.

“I had a diary from him and we incorporated parts from his diary and she spoke about it.”

The study group tour to Gallipoli increased from 12 to 22 places this year and Mr Bull said students would return with stories about Australia’s war history that would ensure the legacy of veterans is secure going into the future.

Mr Bull said the 2016 tour was a unique chance for year 10 and 11 students to reflect on the spirit of the Australians who gave their lives for their country.

“The Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize tour group will follow in the footsteps of our World War I veterans as they visit Lemnos, Gallipoli and the Western Front,” he said.

Roni, who made her submission during year nine at Bairnsdale Secondary College last year, will be one of 20 students to visit Canberra.

Entries for the 2017 study tour are now open. Visit www.veterans.vic.gov.au for application details.

Sporting clubs looking to update their equipment and expand their membership base are encouraged to apply for round two of VicHealth’s 2015-16 Active Club Grants program, which open today.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, is encouraging local sporting clubs to apply for the grants before applications close on Friday, March 4.

“For more than 27 years, VicHealth has provided small grants to more than 10,000 community sport and active recreation clubs and organisations across Victoria,” Mr Bull said.

“These grants help people in some of our most disadvantaged communities join their local sporting clubs.

“They also provide critical equipment to help those who would otherwise not be able to participate in sport. For instance, clubs can apply for funding for modified equipment for people with disabilities such as bell balls, bowling arms or portable ramps,” he said.

Grants are on offer to sport and active recreation clubs to assist with the purchase of much needed core equipment like racquets, goals, uniforms and injury prevention items, with the aim of increasing the number of people participating at their clubs, contributing to healthy Victorian communities.

“As a former member of the VicHealth board, I know how important these grants are to local clubs, especially with today’s requirements.”

VicHealth is offering clubs the option to apply for either the traditional grant of up to $3,000, or a larger grant amount of up to $10,000 – with a total of up to $1.5 million across two rounds.

It is offering 10 of these larger grants for clubs that can make a big impact and enable a greater number of Victorians to start or continue being physically active.

“This may include large clubs with a high number of teams, clubs that are seeking to implement new programs and activities to increase participation, and clubs in areas experiencing significant population growth,” Mr Bull said.

VicHealth will place a particular focus on supporting sporting clubs and organisations that can attract more people to their club, or improve participation opportunities for Victoria’s Aboriginal community.

In awarding these grants, special consideration will also be given to applications from clubs in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage as well as clubs/organisations that can demonstrate that an Active Club Grant will increase opportunities for regular physical activity in their community.  

Eligible sport and recreation clubs are invited to apply for this grant online through VicHealth’s website www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeclub.