Awardee reflection - Ava Dauk

During our trip to Vietnam, a reoccurring theme across each day was gratitude. Gratitude is a concept which I believe is very overlooked, as we all say we are grateful for what we have, but do we really recognise it? Our study tour was an eye-opening experience to the real meaning of gratitude.

Before our trip I had always participated in ANZAC day services, paid respects for those who served for us and recognised their efforts, but my time in Vietnam put a face to those names. Their stories were shared, their steps were walked, and those people that were once just a name became people who had lives so similar to mine, with goals, hopes and dreams, who were forced to forest everything and have their lives changed forever, whether they returned or not. With every story told and every battlefield walked across, the moments they had to experience became more and more realistic, and my sense of gratitude that I have these opportunities to recognise how they showed the ANZAC spirit, along with having the ability to pursue with my goals, hopes and dreams grew as the trip progressed.  

Each ANZAC had a life, a story, a history and it was my honour to spend two weeks exploring each one. Not only did I feel a sense of gratitude towards our courageous ANZACs but I started to recognise things around my home in my everyday life that are purely taken advantage of. For example, having access to pure, clean water running through our taps and not having to use a water bottle to brush my teeth safely, I have noticed I have not appreciated. I have also taken advantage of the little air pollution in my area, controlled traffic conditions and overall a higher standard of living. Being in these areas and experiencing a different lifestyle has changed my perspective on my life, and really shown me what I have to be grateful for.  

One aspect of the Vietnam War that really opened my eyes were the innocent people living within Vietnam at the time, especially in the Vinh Moc Tunnels. A particular quote stood out to me, going along the lines of, “The tunnels were the brightest place during the darkest times”. This bought me a sense of gratitude, as these people were forced to live and grow up underground for their own survival, proving that wars do really have no winners.  

All of these aspects of our two weeks really helped me grow and realise what I have in my life. I created so many memories, friendships, connections and experiences that I could never forget. From each meal we shared, to very bus ride (with or without karaoke), to every landmark or building guided by martin, to every story shared by a group member, to every ceremony commemorating the ANZAC spirit. I believe everyone grew, learnt and took something out of the trip and I wouldn’t have traded this life-changing experience for anything.  

Thank you for everyone’s love and support to get me on this trip and to help me throughout it. To quote Tracey Davies’ wonderful words of wisdom, “All good things come to an end; but the end of the trip isn’t the end; it is the beginning of something new” (well, along the lines of her). I am so grateful for what this trip has created because it is much more than a 2 week trip; it really is a life-long journey.  

Ava