The Hon Chris Gulaptis, MP, Member for Clarence, Media Release, 29 June 2022
Clarence Valley Anglican School Year 11 student Caleb Harrison won’t regret penning a 1000 word history essay after his work won him an 11 day, NSW Government organised and ClubsNSW funded tour of historic World War II sites in the United States and Japan.
After meeting Caleb and his proud mum, Jackie in Grafton on Monday and reading his essay, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis said it was easy to see why he was just one of six students across NSW to win a place on the ClubsNSW Premier’s WWII Memorial Tour,” Mr Gulaptis said.
A modest Caleb told Mr Gulaptis he was grateful, considering not many will ever have the chance to get this far into the history of some of the most pivotal moments of World War II.
“This opportunity will allow me to see parts of the world I have never experienced before. New cultures, new people and new perspectives,” Caleb said.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was also full of praise for Caleb and the other budding young historians.
“It is great to see so many students engaged with this essay writing competition, more than 100 entries were received from year 11 students who were asked to write a 1000 word essay answering the question ‘Are the lessons of WWII still relevant today?’,” Mr Perrottet said.
“It is important that students today continue to talk about the sacrifices and commitment of our servicemen and servicewomen as it these learnings and conversations that helps keep the memory of the spirit of our diggers alive.”
The students will fly out of Sydney in late July for their 11 day tour of historic WWII sites in Hiroshima, Japan and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis aid ClubsNSW was proud to teach a new generation about significant moments in history.
“Clubs and the veteran community are intrinsically linked, which is why ClubsNSW is honoured to fund this program,” Mr Landis said.
