A KEILOR school student has been named a finalist in a prestigious competition run by the State Government.
Earlier this year, Constantinos (Dino) Vlachos from Overnewton Anglican Community College entered the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize.
The annual competition is open to Year 9 and 20 pupils and 27 finalists are chosen from across Victoria.
The contest required students to refer to examples of the Anzac spirit from Australia’s involvement in wars and conflicts from Gallipoli through to the present day, and relate those experiences to positive values in their community and activities in everyday life.
Dino’s entry – an essay and a Powerpoint presentation making references to multiculturalism – won him a tour of Canberra, which he will embark on in June.
Part of his prize was also the chance to have lunch with Premier Denis Napthine at the National Gallery.
Dino’s essay said, “If you were to define what is means to be an Australian one adjective that would be put forward is courage”.
“Mateship and service are, without doubt, two other driving forces for all Australians, young and old, past and present, and are evident regardless of cultural heritage and religion.
“All Australians, young and old, of all different nationalities have many things that they can still learn from the Anzac’s such as courage, mateship and making the ultimate sacrifice are just a few characteristics that we can continue to nurture and develop as a multicultural nation.
“It’s not simply about Australians, multicultural Australians and Indigenous Australians; it is about the shared experience of Gallipoli across cultures.”
