Five of our Carramar Secondary students have been awarded gold and silver medals in the National History Challenge competition! The 2023 Challenge theme was ‘Change and Continuity’ and was cleverly interpreted by the two winning entries.
The first, a team entry won gold in the Australian Wartime Experience category for their website about the Vietnam War. Year 8 students (L to R) Veera Morar, Eva Robin, Maahi Shah and Annamary Joby took incredible initiative to meet a number of Vietnam Veterans to build their knowledge of the Vietnam War. 
Maahi explained how this meeting came about. “We were researching the Vietnam War and the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan was coming up on 18 August. We found out about the memorial service in Kings Park and we decided to go and see if we could meet some Veterans”.
“We met two veterans, Noel and Peter, who volunteered to be interviewed before the memorial and then we stayed for the service”, said Veera.
The students found their insights helpful in understanding the Vietnam War. “Peter and Noel taught us a lot about their own personal experiences,” said Annamary
Eva said, “We learnt that we should all stick together. War never has a good outcome. A lot of people lost their lives and we should respect those who fought for our country”.
The girls also really enjoyed the experience of the National History Challenge. Eva explained, “We were so excited and really proud to even enter and then to win. The best part was the experience we had with the veterans. All that information coming from someone who was in the war was more impactful and meaningful”.
“After we found out about the war it changed out perspectives… there is so much more going on behind the scenes,” said Annamary.
Maahi summed up the value of learning history well. “It was good to find something we were really passionate about and learn information from the people we met at the Battle of Long Tan memorial. Secondary sources don’t tell us how people felt, so it was good to meet Noel and Peter”.
The second winning entry was by Year 10, Like Shirdon, who received a silver medal in the Australia and Asia category for his insightful essay on the legacy of the White Australia policy.
“I used a lot of secondary sources from the museum which had good content about the White Australia policy,” said Luke. 
“I also accessed Parliamentary archives that had exact copies of the legislation. I found a lot of the language really interesting. It seemed very simple but was actually very deceptive.”
“For instance, the legislation referred to a ‘language test’ in very general terms, but it ended up that some potential migrants were given a test in a random European language to make sure they couldn’t pass the test and gain entry to Australia. It was interesting to see how much the White Australia policy was based on prejudice,” said Luke.
“I think it’s important to study history. It builds skills of critical thinking but it’s also important to understand that what’s happening now has deep roots in the past. Understanding history helps us understand why it’s so hard to make changes, such as with Reconciliation in Australia,”
Luke enjoyed the experience of entering the National History Competition but was surprised by his win.
“That was very exciting. I wasn’t expecting to win. I got to see some other entries and it was so interesting to read about other topics. Attending the ceremony and meeting likeminded people was really fun”.
Carramar secondary teacher and gifted and talented specialist, Eleanor Glacken was the one who inspired the students to enter the National History Competition.
“It’s so important to be able to reflect and learn from the past. I think students get a real kick out of studying things that actually happened and seeing how it has shaped the world as they know it today. In a society that’s always looking forward, we need to take as much time to look back as well.
“The NHC allows students to choose an area of interest for them, within the realm of history and explore this in a form that suits their skills. I really like the element of choice in a competition like this and this enables students to not only buy into something that interests them but to showcase their knowledge in a form that best exhibits their skills.
“I’m so proud of all of them. I had no input into their idea or final product so to know that their achievements were based on entirely their own conception and work is very cheering”, said Eleanor.
Check out the website on the Vietnam War developed by Year 8 students, Veera Morar, Eva Robin, Maahi Shah and Annamary Joby.
Read “The road to equality: the legacy and termination of the White Australia Policy” by Year 10 student, Luke Shirdon.
We also had a number of winners in the National History Challenge from our Duncraig Campus. Stay tuned to our social media pages for full details soon.