Applications have opened for the NSW Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship (PAMS), which will see 18 students selected to participate in a study tour visiting historic sites in Greece and Crete relating to Australia’s military service during the Second World War.
Locations in Greece include the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Phaleron, the Hellenic War Museum, and the battlefields of Thermopylae and Thebes.
“The PAMS tour presents a unique opportunity for students from all over New South Wales, and I highly recommend that History and Modern History students in Year 10 and Year 11 consider applying,” said Minister for Veterans, David Harris.
“Through this scholarship, recipients will have the opportunity to visit historic sites across Greece and Crete that experienced the conflict firsthand – walking in the footsteps of the Australians who served and honouring their legacy at the very battlefields where their bravery was defined.
“More than 17,000 Australians served in the Greece and Crete campaigns of 1941, standing in defence against advancing German forces. Close to 600 made the ultimate sacrifice, with many more wounded and thousands taken as prisoners of war.
“Their courage and resilience remain an enduring part of our national story, and a lasting bond between Australia and Greece.
“The Minns Labor Government is proud to continue to support this fantastic program and the extraordinary legacy of veterans.”
In Crete, the tour will visit sites such as the 6th Australian Division Memorial at Stavromenos, the battlefields of Rethymno, the Melame Memorial and the Souda Bay War Cemetery.
Two PAMS 2025 recipients reflected on their tour to the Republic of Korea and Singapore last year which they said was life changing.
Scarlett Sheridan from Green Point Christian College reflected that the tour was one of the greatest honours of her life, opening her eyes to the sacrifices made by veterans around the world.
“Finding out I’d received a PAMS scholarship was one of the greatest honours I’ve ever received. It opened my mind to the sacrifices veterans around the world have made,” said Scarlett.
“Being a PAMS scholar has deepened my understanding of the sacrifice veterans make and the importance of keeping their stories alive. Hearing a Korean veteran thank us for our country’s service will stay with me forever and I am committed to playing my part in honouring all those who have served.
“I was blessed to make lifelong friends and mentored by incredible teachers. Every day offered a new experience.”
Flynn Greenow from Narrabeen Sports High School said he felt a profound sense of connection while standing on the historic battlefields visited during the tour.
“There is a surreal sense of deep connection found amongst the battlefields on which Australians fought and died to protect, which I would struggle to grasp without PAMS,” said Flynn.
“Making new friends while experiencing new cultures and learning about Australian military history, which is often overlooked in curriculum discussions, is an experience I will remember and treasure for the rest of my life.”
The 2026 tour will take place in the Term 3 school holidays departing on Saturday, 26 September and returning to Sydney on Thursday 8 October.
An important change has been introduced to the application process this year, requiring eligible students to submit a five-minute multimedia presentation as part of their online application, along with a letter of recommendation from their school and a parent consent form.
Applications close on Monday, 9 March. For more information and to apply visit: https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/education/premiers-anzac-memorial-scholarship/.
