Posted June 2004 Anzac Day 2004
		Nattalie Carew The Learning Place Students from primary schools across Queensland have gained new insights into the significance of Anzac Day through chatting online with serving and returned servicemen and women.

Most schools have an Anzac Day service and veterans are often invited to speak to students. But for some schools, there's no RSL just down the road. Nattalie Szost, Learning Place officer, wanted to put students in touch with servicemen and women.

Natalie found returned peacekeepers from Egypt and East Timor and a Second World War veteran willing to share their experiences with students. They became guests in a Learning Place project room set up for multiple chat sessions. The guests included:

• Lieutenant Steve Young, a paratrooper from an Infantry Battalion
• Private Michelle Clark, a medic with an Engineering Regiment
• Warrant Officer Nancy Trevathen
• Corporal Sandra Bourke
• Mr Cyril Gilbert, a Second World War Prisoner of War

Over a week, students chatted online with guests about their experiences. They were especially impressed with Mr Gilbert's stories of life and death on the Burma-Thailand railway, and paratrooper Steve Young's photograph of himself jumping out of a plane!

Both students and teachers gained insights into the conditions of life in prison camps through Mr Gilbert's very powerful stories. Students also discovered what life is like in the armed services today and gained information about career paths in the services.

"It was also a time when students could share their feelings and appreciation to our veterans," Nattalie says. "For example, students from Mayfield State School said to Cyril Gilbert, 'We were really excited to have the opportunity to chat to you. We greatly appreciate your efforts in defending Australia and we will always remember you.'"

The success of the Anzac Day 2004 project means it will probably be repeated in 2005.