A LOCAL teacher has been selected to represent the state at the 2015 Anzac Day Dawn Service in Gallipoli, when the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landing will be remembered.
More than 100 teachers applied for the coveted opportunity to accompany a group of students to witness the historical event.
Deidre Rosewarne, history teacher at Swan Hill College, said the Gallipoli story held great resonance for her.
“It’s one thing to know the history of that event, but to be able to put that knowledge into the environment, to see the bushes and trees and the hills they had to climb is another,” Ms Rosewarne said.
Knowing her grandfather was one of the Anzacs added to her sense of connection to the events that took place at Gallipoli on April 25, 1914.
A previous trip to the site as part of a local school group had led Ms Rosewarne to express interest in the anniversary event next year.
“I applied in 2013 and went with [local historian] Bryan Mackenzie on the school tour, when everything about the environment was so overwhelming and the children’s response was just fantastic,” she said.
“I think we were affected by empathy for the soldiers moreso than anything.”
Ms Rosewarne paid tribute to Swan Hill College and the strength of its history program for helping her gain the place as one of just 14 teachers.
“It’s really great for the community and shows a great deal of what our staff are doing and the history program we run,” she said.
“It’s developing and growing every year more and more with more students starting the pick the subject and have a better understanding of what we’re teaching.”
The trip to Turkey will see each teacher take responsibility for the pastoral care and wellbeing of six students.
A total of 80 young Victorians were selected to attend the service.
Over five days they will visit Istanbul, Troy, attend the dawn service on April 25, and take a trek to Lone Pine.
“All applicants were asked to demonstrate a connection to their community and an understanding of the spirit of Anzac,” Member for Swan Hill Peter Walsh said.
“This has enabled those selected the opportunity to experience and establish connections with Gallipoli and then be able to share their experiences with family friends, colleagues and classmates.”
Students local to the region attending the service include Emma Leech from East Loddon P-12 College and Michael Donnellon of Donald High School. Ian McClay will represent Kerang Technical High School.
