The Western Australian Museum – Geraldton today announced the winners of the 26th annual Clem Burns Heritage Awards, chosen from an outstanding array of entries from local primary school children.

The Award aims to promote an understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the region. This year’s theme is World War One history.

WA Museum – Geraldton Regional Manager Catherine Belcher said entries were open to Mid West primary school children in Years 3-6.

“The students researched an aspect of World War One involving Western Australians, preferably those from towns in the region,” Ms Belcher said.

“They then presented their findings in under 400 words and constructed a model which demonstrated their knowledge of the topic.”

The models represent a diverse range of World War One events and themes including Gallipoli, the Western Front, transport ships, horses, Imperial Camel Corps, tunnellers, nurses, life on the home front, and the Trench Comfort Fund. 

The honour board and prize for overall winner was presented to Year 6 student Achaius Hall from Mt Tarcoola Primary School in Geraldton. His model was based on Leane’s Trench and the judges commended it for its detailed planning, research, use of references and its strong link to the Mid West.

“The judges found the models to be of an outstanding standard, and commend all the schools and their students for their efforts. They were also impressed by the many students who researched their own family links to World War One,” Ms Belcher said.

This year’s Award received a record 178 entries by students from Mingenew Primary School, Dongara District High School, Allendale Primary, Waggrakine Primary, Geraldton Primary, Geraldton Grammar School, St Francis Xavier Primary, Leaning Tree Community School, Rangeway Primary and Mt Tarcoola Primary.

“Students received great assistance from the Heritage Services Team at the Geraldton Regional Library and the Returned Services League Geraldton Sub Branch,” Ms Belcher said.

“The Museum would also like to acknowledge the Award’s prize sponsors including Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney MLA, Iluka Resources, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter and the Geraldton Cultural Trust.”

Clem Burns AO was the WA Museum – Geraldton’s first Administration Officer from 1973 until he retired in 1980. During that time he helped provide logistical support for the marine archaeological work on the Abrolhos Islands.

All models can be seen on display at the WA Museum – Geraldton until Sunday 16 August 2015.

2015 CLEM BURNS HERITAGE AWARD WINNERS

Overall Winner:        

Achaius Hall, Mt Tarcoola Primary School             

‘Leane Trench’

Category 1 Winner Years 3/4:        

Keira Edwards, St Francis Xavier Primary School 

‘Charles Edward Puckle’       

Second place:

Caleb Forrester and Jazmin Allen, St Francis Xavier Primary School  

‘The Soldiers’ Institute’

Category 2 Winner Year 5:             

Hamish Campbell and Jack Rowe, Mingenew Primary School

‘From Strawberry to Es Salt’

Second Place:

Abby Green, Mingenew Primary School

‘Irwin House to the Somme’

Category 3 Winner Year 6:

Sinea Fourie, Mt Tarcoola Primary School

'Roy Thompson'

Second Place:           

Tamika Smith, Waggrakine Primary School 

‘Trench Comfort Fund’

Highly Commended

Hien Tran Thi Thu, St Francis Xavier Primary School, ‘Horses in World War I’

Ella MacDonald, St Francis Xavier Primary School, ‘John Brown’s Medals’

Asha Robson and Kayla Wallace, Allendale Primary School, ‘WWI Aircraft’

India Newman , St Francis Xavier Primary School, ‘Charles Albert Stokes’

Lochlyn Bruce and James Edmonds, Dongara District High School, ‘Reg Moore 10th Light Horseman’

Tia Orlando, Rangeway Primary School, ‘Nurse’

Maddison Bunter and Charlotte McGowan, Geraldton Primary School, ‘Tunnelling Company’

Nikki Higgins and Keely Giba, Allendale Primary School, ‘Training Ground – Egypt’

Ben May, Mt Tarcoola Primary School, ‘Charles Thomas Cripps’

Divine Cruz, Allendale Primary School, ‘Rag Doll’

Jesse Anderson, Waggrakine Primary School, ‘Henry Edward Boardman’

Stevie Killick, Abby Tilbrook and Montana Crofts, Dongara District High School, ‘Hill 60’

Media contact

Sharna Craig
Media and Publicity Officer
Western Australian Museum
sharna.craig@museum.wa.gov.au