Awardee reflection - Neve O'Grady

The 2025 ANZAC Spirit School Prize has given me the amazing opportunity to form really strong connections with new people who I would never otherwise, it has also given me the ability to gain lifelong memories and experiences that I will never forget. This trip has significantly expanded and changed my way of thinking and given me a new perspective.

I think that I have grown a lot in terms of my responsibility. I think that the trip has helped me feel more independent and capable, it has given me the belief that I can be more independent. I also underestimated how quickly I could be sociable and connect with others on the trip. I loved getting to know everyone and I really enjoyed having very strong connections with almost everyone on the trip.

The tour has changed me for the better. I think that it has impacted me in terms of my emotional maturity, I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I think that it was very good due to the amount of content that we went through, mainly involving the Vietnam war. It was very good to see and learn a lot. The tour impacted me by helping me gain a deeper understanding about the country and culture of Vietnam, with the use of our local guide Martin I was successfully able to learn a lot and gain a deeper perspective and understanding about both the Vietnam war and also the harsh conditions that ANZACS were exposed to.

While traveling through Vietnam and seeing a lot of various places there are many that stand out to me however, I will always distinctly remember our visit to Long Tan, the memorial there, the pathway leading to it and the rubber trees surrounding it. It was a very significant day for everyone in the group. I also don't think that I will forget our visit to the orphanage, seeing all of these very young children not having many resources but still being so happy with the little that they have. This was very inspiring and helped remind me to be incredibly grateful for the things that I have. Meeting all those kids showed me a different perspective of life and really helped me understand the importance of gratitude.

I loved going to Vietnam and experiencing a new country and a new culture that I had never really seen or thought about before. Since returning back home I am constantly thinking about Vietnam and the massive differences between Vietnam and here in Australia. I now feel incredibly grateful about my living conditions, my education and the wide variety of resources that we have over here. Being in Vietnam and seeing how some children have to go without some of these things was very heartbreaking and eye opening for me, and it made me realise just how lucky and privileged I am to be living in Australia. I thought that the tour was good for me and gave me a lot of perspectives and a lot to think about and I'm sure that others on the trip may also feel this way. 

I loved meeting so many different people on the tour coming from different areas of South Australia, I loved hearing all the stories and learning about each group member's lives and stories that we all told each other. I will try my hardest to maintain these connections with all of you because all you helped to make this trip a truly unforgettable experience.

Neve