Legacy supports Royal Australian Navy International Fleet Review NSW and ACT Secondary Schools History Essay Competition 2013

The Royal Australian Navy and Legacy Sydney have signed a Memorandum of Understanding confirming Legacy’s support for the International Fleet Review NSW and ACT Secondary Schools History Essay Competition.

Students from Masada College in St Ives and North Sydney Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools attended the signing and were given some insights into naval history to help with their essay submissions.

The International Fleet Review schools history essay competition, supported by Legacy and with assistance from the History Teachers Association of NSW, aims to raise student awareness of, and interest in, the origins of the Royal Australian Navy.  The Navy is offering both a senior and a junior history essay competition for NSW and ACT secondary school students. Entries are now open and close on 19 August 2013.

In addition to cash prizes for the first and second essay prize winners for each competition, 50 essay writers will be invited to join the International Fleet Review celebrations on Garden Island at the Navy Heritage Centre on 5 October 2013.    

The International Fleet Review will be held in Sydney from 3-11 October 2013 to commemorate the centenary of the arrival the Royal Australian Navy’s First Fleet on 4 October 1913. 

Twenty nations are sending warships and tall ships to participate in the celebrations in what will be an historic event for Sydney and the nation. 

Legacy President Colin Dunston said Legacy is proud to support the International Fleet Review Secondary Schools History Essay Competition. 

“Legacy has had a close relationship for many decades with the Navy because of our support of the dependants of Royal Australian Navy veterans, and acknowledges the importance of understanding Australia's naval history and how it has helped shape Australia,” Mr Dunston said. 

Legacy is a charity that provides services to Australian families suffering financially and socially after the incapacitation or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their Defence Force service. 

Legacy currently cares for 100,000 widows and 1900 children and disabled dependants throughout Australia. Opportunities to make contributions to Legacy will be available during the International Fleet Review Open Days at the Garden Island and Barangaroo on 5-6 October 2013 and during the combined navies march on 9 October 2013.  

Full details of the competition can be found on the International Fleet Review (IFR) website: http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/get-involved/competitions/ifr-history-essay 

For more information visit www.navy.gov.au/ifr and www.legacy.com.au 

Media note:

Imagery relating of the International Fleet Review (IFR) is available at http://images.defence.gov.au/12133312 

Media contact: 

IFR: Lieutenant Emma Williams (02) 9393 2228 or 0467 781 239 emma.williams [at] defence.gov.au

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999