For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of visiting the battlefields in Gallipoli, France and Belgium. I remember reading a book about the WW 1 few years ago and have a newfound level of respect for the ANZACs after learning what they went through, inspiring me with their strong spirit. I told myself that one day, I would attend the ANZAC Day Commemoration at a place that was a major site for the foundation of the ANZAC Spirits to pay a personal tribute to all the brave and courageous ANZACS. I would also travel to the battlefields where so much occurred, tracing the footsteps of many servicemen and women and thanking them for the sacrifices they made to allow us to be living in the great country we live in now.

When my Mum told me about the Anzac Spirit Study Tour, I quickly did a research on what actually I need to do to enter it. I did a lot of research not only from the internet but also from books. One of the most inspiring primary sources that I encountered was “Heroic Australian Women in War” by Susanna De Vries. Ms De Vries outlined the stories of eleven outstanding Australian women who served in both WW 1 and 2. One of those heroes was Olive King, an adventurous and ingenious young woman from Sydney who selflessly evacuated patients at Guevgueli during the fieriest Bulgarian fire and also set up 18 Australian-Serbian canteens in various places in Serbia. She is such an inspirational lady and I wish I could be like her one day.

I would like to encourage you all to read Ms De Vries’ book. Below is the summary about the book by Ms De Vries (http://www.susannadevries.com/heroic_australia_women_in_war.html)

Heroic Australian Women in War
“Astonishing tales of bravery from Gallipoli to Kokoda.
Nancy Wake remarked: ‘The exploits of Australia’s women at war have been sadly neglected for years.’ Yet women have suffered, strengthened and defied fear in extraordinary acts of bravery.
In this inspiring book, Susanna de Vries profiles the love, dedication and selflessness, of eleven outstanding Australians over the course of two world wars ‑ from Olive King, who saved countless lives in the war-ravaged Balkans, although she lost her heart; to Gallipoli nurse Alice Kitchen, who also served in France; to Vivian Bullwinkel, who survived the Bangka Island Massacre only to face more than three years watching her colleagues die as a Japanese prisoner of war and her ‘Paradise Road’ colleagues, Sister Betty Jeffrey and Queenslanders Sylvia Muir and Joice Tweddell.
Focusing not only on the astounding courage they displayed amid death and chaos but also on the triumphs and pain of their personal lives, Susanna reveals how these women were as influential and heroic in civil life as they were in war”.

Upon finishing my research, I had to think of how I would present the information gathered that is unique and creative. It took me a while to come up with the idea of video diary entry. I had so many setbacks when putting everything together. I nearly gave up as I had to keep recording again and again and again, until I was satisfied with the final result. What kept me going was the thought of what Olive would do if she was me. She would not give up, she would keep trying until she achieved what she wanted. Olive became stronger because of all the struggles she experienced.

Please see my entry on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3oVla8pWyo&feature=youtu.be and I hope you will be able to give greater recognition of the role of women in both WWs and reflected upon.

Lest We Forget!