The prize, awarded annually, recognises young people who demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the Anzac spirit.
For Peter, this spirit is just as relevant today as it was a century ago.
“The Anzac spirit and values are more than mere historical concepts — they apply to everyday living,” he said.
“The Anzac spirit includes an attitude of sacrifice, being willing to give your time, commitment, and even life, for the sake of others.
“I strive to uphold these values in my life regardless of the circumstance.”
The Year 12 Cobram Anglican Grammar student has previously been recognised at the Australian National Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence and with the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award in 2025.
While this isn’t the first time he’s represented his community on a massive scale, Peter said he still felt extremely proud.
“Living in a rural community can make it seem harder to access opportunities like this,” he said.
“I hope to encourage other students in the area to apply for this award and give them confidence to not let their geographical isolation limit them.”
As part of the prize, Peter will attend a fully funded study tour to Vietnam, where he will learn about the impacts of the Vietnam War.
“I’m most eager to learn about the hands-on experiences of Australian veterans,” Peter said.
“Being in the very places that history occurred in is an invaluable experience that bridges the gap between history and reality.”
While it was his commitment to living with the values of the Anzacs that made his application stand out, Peter said he was thankful for those who had supported him throughout the process.
“My history teacher, Amy Carr ... encouraged my passion for history and was one of the reasons I chose to do VCE History, one of the criteria for the prize,” he said.
“My mum was a great asset to me throughout the application process. Not only was she the one that told me about the opportunity in the first place, she helped me through each stage of the process, and I am very grateful to be blessed with her.”
Peter said he felt “very fortunate” to have this opportunity and was looking forward to all the experiences that would come with it.
“I hope to take away unforgettable memories, shaped by new experiences and historical connection,” he said.
“I hope that my understanding of the past, shaped by the present experience of the study tour, will impact my future.”
