Geraldton schoolgirl on Premier’s Student Tour to Japan to honour Anzac legacy on 80th anniversary of WWII

As a history buff and avid learner, Geraldton teenager Lilly Moses is a shining example of the younger generation standing up for the Anzac legend. The Champion Bay Senior High School Year 11 pupil is one of 10 WA students who last week embarked on a 10-day trip to Japan as part of the 2025 Premier’s Anzac Student Tour, on the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs, as well as the end of World War II. Impressively, four of the 10 lucky students hail from the Mid West — Lilly, Elvira White from Nagle Catholic College, and Kalbarri District High School pair Dylan McKenzie and Ella Tennant. Lilly was selected for the tour after writing a 1000-word essay on former prisoner-of-war in Japan Ted McLaughlin, who set up a memorial for his lost mates in his home town of Boyup Brook. The essay conveyed Lilly’s love of history and interest in the Anzac legend. “Learning about the Anzac legacy has always been something I have been interested in,” she said. In 2024, Lilly was named the WA runner-up for the Simpson Prize, a prestigious essay-writing competition, out of more than 1000 entries from 79 schools across the country. As runner-up, Lilly scored a trip to the nation’s capital and said her experience in Canberra “fuelled her love for history”. “I made a promise to myself at the start of this year to take any opportunities that present themselves to me. So far, this has been a life-changing decision for me,” she said. For the last several years, Lilly has also been heavily involved in Anzac Day ceremonies in Geraldton, performing The Last Post on the trombone and reading a poem. While in Japan from April 17-27, students will have the opportunity to visit Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, which is dedicated to the city’s legacy of being the first in history to have suffered a nuclear attack. Students will also get the chance to reflect on the significant reconciliation between Australia and Japan since the end of WWII 80 years ago. They will also participate in the Anzac Day service at Hodogaya Cemetery in Yokohama, laying a wreath to honour those who died in action or as prisoners of war, and visiting the graves of several Western Australian soldiers. Lilly said she hoped younger generations continued to learn about the history of the Anzacs and uphold the legacy they left. “It’s important that people my age continue learning about the Anzac legacy, as it’s such a big part of the Australian culture, and one of the most significant pieces of history,” she said. “It’s important we all carry it on, and continue learning about those who have fought before us.” Tour co-ordinator Karen Lamond said the students would be offered a “profound educational experience”. “This tour helps students gain a broader perspective on the complexities of history, peacebuilding, and the enduring importance of remembrance,” she said. “Students hear first-hand survivor testimonies, participate in peace workshops, and engage in educational programs, providing a deep understanding of the consequences of war and the importance of peace.”