2025 Premier's Anzac Student Tour

Day 9 by Elvira White, Year 10, Nagle Catholic College

Today was a particularly emotional day for me, as before I began my journey to Japan, I had completed a research assignment on the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery. Being here in person brought an overwhelming sense of connection that no amount of time reading a textbook could. Facts and names I had once read on pages suddenly became real and deeply moving.

We began the day early, with a long journey via bus to the Yokohama Commonwealth War Cemetery, on the outskirts of Hodogaya, to attend the 2025 Anzac Day memorial service, hosted by the Australian Embassy. The ceremony gathered ambassadors from around the world – including Australia, the Republic of Türkiye, New Zealand, and the United States. These ambassadors spoke about our shared histories of pain and conflict, but also about the universal desire for peace, understanding, and reconciliation. Their messages highlighted the significance of remembering the past to help us learn and build a better future. At the ceremony, we laid a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice on behalf of the Department of Education in WA. The Cross of Sacrifice is located at the front of the Australian section of the cemetery and stands as a tribute to the memory of our fallen soldiers.

One of the most meaningful parts of today was after the Anzac Day service, when we met with Ms. Yoshiko Tamura and Ms. Taeko Sasamoto, the co-founders of the POW (prisoner of war) Research Network Japan. They shared with us their extensive study which includes documenting the lives of the prisoners of war who are buried in the cemetery, and their commitment to ensuring each soldier’s story is heard. Their passion was both humbling and inspiring and helped me to realise that acts of peace and justice often begin with individuals who want to make a difference.

After our talk with the POW Research Network Japan, we had the opportunity to locate the gravesites and pay our respects to the three Western Australian soldiers from the 2nd/4th Machine Gun Battalion – Private Harry Tysoe, Corporal Austin Climie and Private Kenneth Lally. At their graves, we had time to reflect on the devastation of war, its horrific impacts on humanity, and its lasting scars. And then we had time to consider a different perspective. As today was about hope. It was about unity. It was about what happens when countries actively choose reconciliation over resentment.

As the day came to an end, I was grateful for the opportunity we were given to reflect on the day’s events. I have gained a greater understanding about global peace and that it isn’t the responsibility of leaders or diplomats. Each of us can contribute – either through our time, our voice, our knowledge, or simply choosing to care. Today showed me that remembrance is not just about the past; it’s a call to action for our future generations.

Day 8 by Estrella Brooke Yanez-Barnuevo, Year 10, Mindarie Senior College

We awoke heavily, with the events we saw and experienced over the past days lingering in our minds. As we rose early to enjoy our last breakfast together in Hiroshima, our suitcases and the train station awaited our arrival. We enjoyed our routine breakfast with laughter, which shifted our minds from exhaustion to anticipation for the coming day. We arrived at the train station in a bubbly, talkative mood as we were let free to purchase our lunch for the upcoming four-hour train journey from Hiroshima to Tokyo.

It was bittersweet to leave Hiroshima behind, but as we boarded the shinkansen (bullet train) we said goodbye to the city and welcomed the beckoning journey with a reflective yet curious state of mind as we were making our way to Tokyo. Many of us come from country towns, with populations of 1,000 people being what we are used to encountering in our day-to-day lives. We were about to enter a city which housed more people than all of Australia combined.

Our train trip was full of quiet laughter and quiet conversation, while also lulled by serene countryside imagery as we acknowledged the pain and devastation we had learnt about in days past.

We arrived in a bustling city where our bubble of calmness and contemplation was burst by the multitudes of people that swarmed around us. The immediate fast paced change of scenery filled all of us with a bit of apprehension and shock which intertwined with our amazement of entering such a futuristic city as Tokyo.

We met our tour guide, Hoshi, and walked through the famous Shibuya Crossing, astonished to discover that about 1,000 to 3,000 people can cross at a time, and now, we were among them. We saw Hachiko’s statue, the faithful Akita that waited for his owner at Shibuya station for nine years after his death. Visiting this memorial monument resonated with the nostalgic feelings I had experienced over the past few days as we visited numerous other important monuments. Standing in the exact places where historical events took place filled me with gratitude and astonishment. By coming to Japan, we were all learning about things that textbooks studied in classrooms could never convey adequately enough to evoke such emotions as standing in the places where these events occurred.

Day 7 by Elliot Beurteaux, Year 10, Broome Senior High School and Lily Moses, Year 11, Champion Bay Senior High School

Today was an early start due to the significance of today. We walked down to the Peace Memorial Park area and saw the Atomic Bomb Dome, a black skeleton of twisted metal and crumbling walls rising above the bright green trees. It served as a blunt reminder of the tragedy we hope to prevent.

The mood was subdued as we entered the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. As soon as we entered the exhibits, we were surrounded by photo upon photo; children with blackened faces, and tiny articles of burnt, bloody clothing laid gently behind glass.

Then there was the Cries of the Soul exhibit – survivors' stories of their loved ones – which included a rusty, deformed tricycle that was buried with a 3-year-old boy. When being transferred from the family grave nearly 40 years later, his skull still remained in his toy helmet.

The museum was a harsh reminder of the absolute indiscriminate destruction of nuclear weapons, and the importance of our tour; to strengthen our relationship with Japan and spread the message of peace.

In the afternoon, we drove to Kure to meet with students from Goko Senior High School. We were each partnered with a student or two and walked together on a tour of the city and visited sites of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) operation. This was a highlight for us as our connection with these students – despite language barriers, age gaps, and different cultures – was unhindered and blossomed; the epitome of peace. With the local media following us to film, interviewing Olivia for the Japanese national television, and me (Lily) for an article, it became extremely clear just how important the Premiers Anzac Student Tour is to people, not only in Australia, but to the countries we visit too.

We visited the Rainbow Bench, a place of strong significance to me (Lily) as I did my research on the story that it represents, Cherry and Gordon Parkers' story. Afterwards we experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony and then caught the bus back to Hiroshima.

Whilst I (Lily) write this journal the meaning of this whole trip has become profoundly clear to me; it's not only to learn of the horrors that took place during the war, but also the stories of triumph, to continue the story of reconciliation and to form new bonds between the younger generations. The Premiers Anzac Student Tour is a personal journey for everyone who gets the opportunity to go on it and gives us the opportunity to spread that experience to everyone we can.

Day 6 by Olivia Forster, Year 11, Broome Senior High School

Our experiences today at Miyajima Island have reinforced my hopeful feelings towards the idea that global peace through international collaborations is attainable. Our exploration of Miyajima Island, an island covered with towering mountains, dense forest, hundreds of mouth-watering Japanese restaurants, and hundreds of friendly Sika deer, was an unforgettable experience.

However, a conversation our group had with a man we met quickly became the most memorable moment I had on the island. Visiting Japan from the Netherlands, the man was quick to express his remorse for the damage the atomic bomb inflicted on Hiroshima 80 years ago. He addressed the confronting topic politely, acknowledging the western world’s responsibility for the devastation and sincerely expressed his desire for peace and reconciliation. His respectful and inspired manner towards our common goal unified us and evoked my optimistic response to the concept of worldwide commemoration and acknowledgement. Globally, people are recognising the necessity of commemoration and reconciliation and, together, we can facilitate and accelerate the spread of peace worldwide.

We were then honoured to meet Professor Masashi Hojo, the son of a former pearl diver from Broome who was interned in Australia during World War II before returning to Japan in 1946. As someone who has grown up in Broome, his references to Broome landmarks and families deepened my understanding of the reality of war and appreciation of Broome’s many rich and diverse cultures. By addressing unique perspectives, Professor Hojo emphasised the importance of unity and friendship in times of hardship. Professor Hojo embodies the ideas of togetherness and memory in his statement, “I feel I am made of pearl shell; Australian pearl shell”. His determination and sense of self is inspiring, and I feel that if we all work together, peace and justice for all is a promise which will be fulfilled in the near future.

Day 5 by India Baker, Year 11, Woodvale Secondary College

We have all settled in nicely into the routine of the hotel and the PAST itinerary. It’s been a great couple of days and now that we’re almost halfway through the tour, we’ve all grown very fond of the people, landscape, and customs of Japan (and have almost mastered the art of chopsticks)! We’ve all had lots of firsts on this trip, whether it be the first time eating mochi (Japanese pounded rice balls), trying on yukatas (Japanese pyjama robes), or flying internationally. But one thing none of us have ever done, besides the teachers, was riding the shinkansen (Japanese bullet train).

We spent some time at Nagasaki station, arriving as early as we could to buy snacks and souvenirs for our journey. After exploring the shopping centre in the station, we began walking to the platform and boarded the train. Throughout this trip, I’ve learnt that Japanese people are very punctual, so when our ticket said we left at 10:44, it meant we left at 10:44. Almost the second the clock ticked over, the train began to move. Very fast.

Speeding along at an incredible 320 km/h, we watched through the window as the scenery changed from the hilly landscape of Nagasaki to the slightly flatter Hiroshima. Before we could get to Hiroshima, however, we had to do a changeover of trains. We had 3 minutes for all 13, and our beloved mascot Bill, to get off the bullet train with all our luggage, board another train, stow our bags, and be seated, ready for the train to leave. So, like a track of Olympic sprinters waiting for the starting pistol to fire we were standing at the Shinkansen doors ready to go. The doors opened and we rushed out, across the platform and into the next train, lugging our clumsy suitcases all the way. Mrs McAlpine, Mrs Lamond, and Mr Bennett-Hullin did a great job at directing us and making sure all of us were on the train.

When we arrived at Hiroshima station, our tour guide, Nob, was waiting for us on the platform, holding a long pole with a little kangaroo teddy on the end. He guided us through the station, which was much busier than the comparatively quiet station in Nagasaki. We kept getting excited looks from Japanese civilians on their way to work and school, and on our way to the hotel we heard:

“オスとラリア人です！” (They are Australians!)

“彼らはスポーツチームに違いない。” (They must be here for sports.)

With our tour group accompanied by Mr Michael Lake and Mrs Betty Lake from Broome, Mr Nob took us to Hiroshima Castle, which was restored after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The gardens surrounding the castle were beautiful and we were lucky enough to see some friendly koi fish and turtles in the river surrounding the castle. Something that really stuck out to me was seeing trees in the garden with little signs, explaining that they had survived the atomic bomb in 1945 and were still standing today. One of these trees included an old eucalyptus from a small area on the east coast of Australia that was roughly 1800 m away from the bomb’s epicentre. I’ve always loved being around and meeting old trees, so to see one still so strong after an atomic bomb, and an Australian one at that, was inspiring. It reminded me of the resilience of the Anzacs, not letting their spirits down and continuing to serve, no matter their circumstances.

Seeing the Japanese architecture was cool too! As a Japanese language student in Australia, I’ve seen pictures of castles like the one in Hiroshima in presentations and workbooks but seeing it in real life was incredible! Being in Japan for myself has really brought all that I’ve learnt in class to life, and it’s been truly amazing to see!

Later in the day we were fortunate enough to try an okonomiyaki (Japanese savoury pancake) cooking workshop at OKOSTA restaurant. It was such a great experience to see how cuisine differs depending on where you are in Japan. We learnt that, unlike Osaka style okonomiyaki, where all the ingredients are mixed and fried as one pancake, Hiroshima style requires each ingredient to be cooked as its own separate layer! It was so much fun, and although a few eggs were spilt, the results were definitely worth it. It was so delicious, and I hope I get the chance to try it again while we are here in Hiroshima!

Day 4 by Ella Tennant, Year 10, Kalbarri District High School

Today we travelled out of Nagasaki to Mukyudo cave and the Hario Transmission Station. Our first stop was Mukyudo Cave, where 12 year-old students and their teachers dug an air raid shelter during WW2. We met Awa-san, a student who helped to dig the shelter – he is now 92! It was incredible to see the extensiveness of the tunnels – they had amazing domed ceilings and were a lot larger than I was expecting. This really conveyed the love of the teachers towards their students. Awa-san told us that he worked around 4 to 5 hours per day on these tunnels. The determination and will shown by the children was also clear to see. They built the whole tunnel with pickaxes and their bare hands.

We then went to Hario Transmission Towers, where the order to attack pearl harbour was given from. The towers were extremely impressive, over 130 m tall and made from concrete. We went into the base of the tower, where the echo was amazing; we called out 'coo-ee' as many of the ANZACs had done before us. Throughout our journey to the cave and transmission towers, our lovely guide Nora-san shared her amazing knowledge of Japanese culture and history with us as we enjoyed a traditional Japanese lunch together.

After heading back to Nagasaki, we visited the Fukuoka 2B Nagasaki Prisoners of War (POW) Camp Memorial. We met students from Koyagi Junior High School, whose school now stands where the POW camp was, and who maintain the memorial. They taught us how to make paper cranes, and while it was difficult to communicate well, both sides tried their hardest to be friendly, which was a great symbol of peace and conveyed the strengthening ties between our two countries. The students were so lovely – it was a great experience to be introduced to Japanese locals our age and see how they live their lives. The students then escorted us to the Fukuoka 2B memorial. Two Australians, Raymond Joseph Flynn and Victor (Bob) Watkins, were interned at the camp when the atomic bomb was dropped. Both survived. There were also 24 Australians at camp Fukuoka 14, which was less than 2 km from the bomb’s epicentre. Miraculously, all survived. These POWs serve as a reminder that there are no winners in war, and I hope that they would be glad to see the friendly ties between Australia and Japan today.

Day 3 by Bella Le, Year 12, Shenton College

Today was our first full day in Japan, and it was going to be our first 'up-close' experience with the events of the bombings that happened in Japan 80 years ago this August. This involved a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, getting to listen to an atomic bomb survivor’s experience, and exploring key historical sites related to the atomic bombings. We arrived at the museum via bus ride and explored the exhibits in our own time, with each person being able to invest time in what they found the most impactful.

It was simultaneously both a confronting and educative experience, with images, testimonials, and artifacts presenting the harsh reality of the bombings and offering valuable insight into the devastations that they caused. That was followed by a talk from a 98 year-old atomic bomb survivor, Tsuikui-san, who shared his own story and allowed us to truly connect with the event in a way that was more personal than we had done before. It was truly admirable how he had started learning English just a few years prior so that he could share his story with a wider audience, which really emphasized the importance of reflecting upon and reconciling with the past so that we can move forward into the future and not repeat the same tragedies.

After that and our lunch at the Peace Cafe, we split into two groups with our tour guides Nora-san and Rumi-san to explore the surrounding sites which were related to the atomic bombings in Nagaski, including the Nagasaki Peace Park, Urakami Cathedral, Nagai Takashi Memorial Museum, and Yamazato Elementary School. We even got to stand right at the centre where the bomb had exploded at that exact location 503 meters in the air. Our tour of the area further highlighted the devastating impacts of the atomic bombs and their lasting effects even into the present, but we also got to learn about some amazingly resilient figures like Dr. Nagai Takashi, who survived the atomic bomb and put himself at risk for the sake of his research into illnesses caused by radiation exposure. His devotion to prayer, peace, and service earned him the title of 'saint of Urakami'.

It was a heavy morning, but we followed it up with a peace workshop where we brainstormed ideas designed to achieve the sustainable development goal number 16 of promoting peace and justice to all nations. This gave us a chance to actively think, discuss, and look into the future with hope after a long day of absorbing information about the destructions of the past. We finished our day with a delicious dinner at a Japanese restaurant, where we had nice conversations and shared our own distinct languages with each other. Overall, it was an emotionally charged day with many up-close and personal experiences that allowed us all to intellectually, emotionally, and personally connect with the historical events that have shaped today. This day reminded us to reflect upon the responsibility we share as youth in building a more compassionate and just future.

Days 1 and 2 by Shannan Johns, Year 12, Norseman District High School

Travelling on two international flights; first to Singapore airport and then Fukuoka in Japan was particularly exciting as I’d never travelled overseas before. I was surprised at how frequently we had to show our passports and boarding passes, and that the international planes provided full meals.

We occupied our time at the airport with chatter, card games and a shared wonder of the foreign culture around us. Upon landing in Fukuoka at 8am, our group was tired from the early flight but buzzing in anticipation for the day of exploration ahead. Immediately, we noticed the land around us. The green mountainous landscape of Nagasaki, visibly different from Western Australia, harboured many houses seemingly stacked together, with steep winding streets that weaved around the terrain.

We explored the city with the company of our guide, Ms Takahashi. We browsed the various shops in Chinatown and visited a traditional temple and cemetery where we learnt that the bones of the deceased are placed from bottom to top in an urn as a testament of their continued presence, rooted in the Buddhist religion.

I didn’t expect for the people everywhere we went to be, not only incredibly polite, but genuinely interested in our tour. I think about the horrific suffering the people of Nagasaki endured because of conflict and warfare, in contrast to the safe, peaceful atmosphere the streets held; a silent resilience leading towards reconciliation of the past and the powers involved

I am grateful for the continuous efforts of Japan and Australia in reconciling, promoting peace and creating the space to reflect on their involvement in the war. In that way, we are able to indulge in the rich culture and history of one another and have opportunities such as the Anzac tour.