Sydney, October 22, 2025 - NSW Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Veterans David Harris have announced that Greece and Crete will be the destinations for the 2026 Premier's Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS) tour. This initiative will see 16 students from across New South Wales embark on a study tour to explore Australia's military history during the Second World War, marking the 85th anniversary of the Greek and Crete Campaign of 1941.
The tour will include visits to significant historical sites such as Athens, war cemeteries at Phaleron and Suda Bay, and the Battle of Rethymno, where Australian and Greek troops faced a fierce German paratrooper assault. Over 1,000 Australians lost their lives, with 17,000 wounded, highlighting the profound impact of these campaigns.
Applications for accompanying teachers opened today and will close on November 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM. Eligible teachers are encouraged to apply, with the opportunity seen as a unique professional development experience to enhance their understanding and teaching of Australian wartime history. Student applications will open in early 2026, and Year 10 or 11 students in 2026 are encouraged to register their interest.
This follows the successful 2025 PAMS tour to the Republic of Korea and Singapore, where students visited the Battle of Kapyong, the Demilitarised Zone, the UN First Battle Memorial, Kranji War Memorial, Changi Prison Chapel and Museum, and Fort Siloso and Surrender Chambers. Participants described the experience as transformative, deepening their understanding of military history.
Premier Minns emphasized the tour's value, stating, "It’s a wonderful opportunity for high school students to develop further their understanding of the history of Australians at war." Minister Harris added, "The 2026 tour will explore locations that experienced the war’s impact firsthand, ensuring the legacy of our Second World War veterans is preserved."
Applications for the role of Accompanying Teacher on the 2026 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship tour are now open. Learn more and apply to be a 2026 Accompanying Teacher here. The Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship gives NSW Year 10 and 11 History students the opportunity to travel on a study tour to develop their knowledge and understanding of the history of Australians at war. Accompanied by a military historian, the tour includes visits to significant battlefields, war memorials, war cemeteries, museums, and historic sites to learn about and commemorate the service of Australian men and women in the World Wars and other conflicts.
The 2026 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship Tour will visit locations in Greece and Crete, accompanied by a military historian during the 2026 Term 3 school holidays (27 September to 10 October 2026).
Will you be an NSW Year 10 or 11 History student in 2026? Register your interest for the 2026 Scholarship to receive a notification when applications open. and url https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship/
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