Honouring history: Euroa RSL representative Frank York, state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland, scholarship recipient Amber McNally and Euroa RSL president Phil Munt.
For Euroa Secondary College Year 11 student Amber McNally, winning the Jack Dawson Kokoda Memorial Scholarship has been a dream come true.
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“I have always been interested in war history and always wanted to do the trail,” she said.
“I always thought, ‘I’ll do it when I have money’, but when this opportunity came, I thought ‘Why not?’ and I went for it.”
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland announced Amber as one of two recipients, alongside St Mary’s College Seymour student Chloe Butterworth.
Through the scholarship, the two girls will each be awarded $6300 to go towards a guided tour of one of the most important areas of Australian military history.
Throughout the 10-day trek, students will follow in the footsteps of veterans who fought in intense battles along the Kokoda Trail.
The battles were fought to prevent Japanese soldiers from getting to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, and mainland Australia.
Amber said she had a connection to the trail, as her great-great uncle Earnest Keith McNally fought in battles against the Japanese forces there.
Paying respect: Violet Town RSL members, Ms Cleeland, Amber McNally and Violet Town RSL vice-president Joe Martin.
“I’m excited to learn and experience what really happened, how they fought, the terrain,” Amber said.
“It will be difficult, but I’m up for the challenge.”
When Amber saw the opportunity, she jumped on it and submitted her essay as soon as she could.
“I submitted my essay in March, and I heard back on April 19 that I’d been shortlisted,” she said.
“I had an interview two days before Anzac Day and found out the next day.”
Amber said she was invited to the Euroa service, where she read a poem and laid a wreath.
She also visited the Violet Town service, alongside Ms Cleeland.
Ms Cleeland said she was proud to support an initiative that would provide the outstanding local students with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“During the trek, they will learn of the immense sacrifice made by our local war heroes and the impact these people had towards protecting the lives and freedoms we cherish today,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Ensuring our younger generations continue to learn about and understand our incredible history is so important.”
Ms Cleeland thanked local RSL representatives Frank York (Euroa), Matt McLaughlin (Seymour) and Paul Hartland (Benalla) for ensuring students understood the importance of military history and thanked Kilmore Racing Club and the Seymour Club for their generous contribution and commitment to Australian history.
The two winners will depart during the July school holidays.
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