Where will the Premier’s Anzac Prize take you?

Open yearly to Queensland high school students and teachers, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to live and breathe the ANZAC legacy.

You’ll get to retrace history on a guided tour of Europe, commemorate the ANZACs right where they fought, research and honour untold soldiers’ stories, and raise funds for veterans and their families.

A Queensland Department of Education initiative, the prize is proudly sponsored by RSL Queensland.

 

Prize highlights

• Two-week tour of Europe visiting sites significant to Australia’s military history

• Admission to the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux 
• Exclusive, three-day history workshop in Brisbane to aid your ANZAC research project
• Community engagement (fundraising and education projects)
• Overseas and domestic flights, accommodation, insurance, local travel, tour and entry fees, and most meals included

 

Prize program

January | History workshop (Brisbane)

After meeting your fellow prize recipients, you’ll delve deep into ANZAC history at Brisbane’s Anzac Square Memorial Galleries and State Library of Queensland.

The two-day Young Historian's Workshop will teach you expert strategies to research two Australian service people of your choice, whom you’ll deliver eulogies for in Europe.

On day three, enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the library and an exclusive White Gloves Experience, examining precious WWI and WWII artefacts such as journals, letters and trench art.

“It was a wonderful experience to see different parts of history and books. I was surprised at how elegant the soldiers’ uniforms were. Touching old items made me feel like I was stepping back into war times.” – Charlie, 2025

 

January to April | Community engagement 

Back home, you’ll take an active role in keeping the ANZAC spirit alive.

As well as presenting your research discoveries to local primary school students, you’ll get to run fundraising activities for Mates4Mates, which supports veterans and families affected by service.

“An important part of our journey is giving back.” – Dane (teacher chaperone), 2025

 

April | Farewell event (Brisbane)

On the eve of your tour, you’ll attend a special farewell event with family members, the Premier of Queensland (or representative of) and other invited dignitaries.

 

April | Tour of Europe (UK, France, Belgium)

Days 1-4: London

Depart Brisbane for London. Explore iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, The National Gallery, St Paul's Cathedral, and Covent Garden.

Led by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll also retrace wartime history at the Imperial War Museum, the Animals in War Memorial, Grosvenor Square, HMS Belfast and the 12th century St Mary’s Church in Harefield, where many Australian soldiers lay at rest.

“It was so amazing to see the impact that the ANZACs have had on such a small corner of the world.” – Grace and Eloise, 2024

 

Days 4-6: Paris 

Hop on the Eurostar to Paris for two full days of sightseeing. First stop is the magnificent Palace of Versailles, where the Treaty of Versailles was signed to end WWI. Then, explore the wonders of Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Élysées, Notre-Dame, Louvre Museum, a cruise along the River Seine, and delicious French cuisine.

“Paris is beautiful with all of its history gloriously displayed along the riverbanks, giving us a feast for the eyes. We didn't know where to look first!” – Elann and Bronte, 2024

 

Days 6-8: Fromelles, Ypres, Hill 60

From Paris, the tour makes its way to the Western Front and Belgium, revealing a fascinating and moving glimpse at the Australian experience of WWI. Led by a historian guide, you’ll explore battlefields, trenches, museums and beautifully restored medieval towns; commemorate fallen soldiers at cemeteries and memorials; and hear powerful stories of courage and sacrifice.

“Being there and seeing little bits of shrapnel and bullets in the fields, it really made me realise how recent this was and how relevant it still is.” – Sarah, 2023

 

Day 9: Bruges and Langemark 

Enjoy a scenic cruise and free time wandering through Bruges, the ‘Venice of Belgium’ – famous for its picturesque canals and medieval splendour. After lunch, you’ll spend the afternoon visiting Langemark German War Cemetery and St Julien Canadian Memorial – two powerful testaments to the impact of war – before returning to Ypres.

 

Day 10: The Somme (Messines, Bullecourt, Pozieres and Amiens)

Retrace the ANZACs’ footsteps across the former battle sites of Messines, Bullecourt, Pozières and Amiens. See where and how each battle unfolded, hear remarkable tales of victory and loss, and visit local cemeteries and memorials to pay your respects to fallen diggers. 

“Walking on a WWI battlefield is a completely unique experience. When you close your eyes, you can see the soldiers right in front of you.” – Katie and Sophie, 2024

 

Day 11: Naours and Vignacourt

Venture into the extraordinary Caves of Naours – a vast, medieval-era network of underground tunnels and rooms bearing countless wall carvings by Australian and other Allied soldiers of WWI. Enjoy lunch nearby before visiting Vignacourt 14-18 Interpretive Centre, home to thousands of soldiers’ and civilians’ portraits photographed on the site during WWI and rediscovered in 1990.

 

Day 12: ANZAC Day (Villers-Bretonneux)

Set your alarm early for what will be an unforgettable ANZAC Day experience. Televised internationally, the Dawn Service at the Australian National Memorial is a very special opportunity to honour the ANZACs where they fought and lay a wreath on behalf of Queensland. 

Afterwards, enjoy breakfast with locals in Le Hamel, a village recaptured by Australian-led forces. Then, visit the eye-opening Lochnagar Crater – created by giant mine explosives in 1916 – and the captivating exhibits and grounds of Thiepval British Memorial and Museum.

“The biggest highlight of our trip was the Dawn Service in Villers-Bretonneux. It was at once all too surreal and real. Seeing the Australian National Memorial all lit up in the dark was gobsmacking and so special.” – Michelle (teacher chaperone), 2024

 

Day 13: The Somme (Villers-Bretonneux)

Today you’ll explore the Somme battlefields, stopping enroute at the original gravesite of Australia’s unknown soldier. Witness the enduring ANZAC legacy at the Victoria School and Franco-Australian Museum of Villers-Bretonneux, where the town’s long bond with Australia remains on heartfelt display. 

Back at the Australian National Memorial, immerse yourself in our soldiers’ war experience at the incredible, state-of-the-art Sir John Monash Centre, and take in the breathtaking view of the surrounding battlefields from the memorial tower.

“It was really amazing to stand pretty much where my great-great-uncles stood, in the same mud.” – Tom, 2023

 

Day 14: The Somme to Paris

Discover yet more fascinating sights and stories as you visit Mont-Saint-Quentin, Péronne, St Quentin Canal, and Montbrehain, from a British shell lodged in an otherwise ordinary wall to remarkable displays at the Museum of the Great War.

“Before we left, we knew about the First World War from history books, our grandparents, teachers and commemorations. These past two weeks have transformed something we knew into something we could feel.” – Morgan (teacher chaperone), 2025

 

Day 15: Return flight to Brisbane

 

April | Welcome home event (Brisbane)

After some well-earned rest, you’ll be welcomed home by family and dignitaries at a special post-tour event. Here you’ll get to share your life-changing experiences – and farewell your newfound friends.

“We'll carry this experience forever. This trip was unforgettable in every sense.” – Saxon, 2025

*Please note, the prize program and inclusions are subject to change.

 

Eligibility

The Premier’s Anzac Prize is open to Queensland high school students and primary or high school teachers (state and non-state). Students must be in years 8 to 11 at the time of application.

 

Apply for 2026

2026 prize applications are open:

• for teachers until Friday 4 July 2025
• for students until Tuesday 22 July 2025.

For more information, visit rslqld.org/get-involved/premiers-anzac-prize.