Recipients of the 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize are embarking on an extraordinary journey that fosters meaningful, lasting experiences while deepening their understanding of both local and global perspectives. As part of the Prize, recipients lead fundraising initiatives in support of returned veterans, undertake in-depth research into the lives of Australian service personnel more than a century after they went to war, and honour their stories during a commemorative tour of the Western Front battlefields.
Our 2026 Prize recipients are emerging young leaders who bring history to life. Their journey begins in Brisbane at the three-day Young Historians Workshop, delivered by the State Library of Queensland, where they build advanced research skills and prepare a commemorative eulogy honouring their chosen service personnel, to be delivered during the April tour. The tour involves travelling to Europe, where recipients visit significant World War I sites in London, Paris, northern France and Belgium—places where the courage and sacrifice of the Anzacs continue to resonate.
Prize recipients with Dr Christian Rowan MP, Assistant Minister to the Premer on Matters of State and New Citizens and Member for Moggill, Iain Carty, State Secretary, RSL Queensland, Vicki McDonald, State Librarian and CEO of State Library of Queensland, Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Strategic Policy and External Relations, Department of Education, Simone Fuller, Executive Director, Department of Education International.
Recipients of the 2026 Premier's Anzac Prize
Dakota-Lily Cullen-Chambers—Upper Coomera State College
Jessica Hawkins—Moreton Bay College
Isaiah Howell—Bowen State High School
Seth Johnson—Bundaberg State High School
Kurt Lane—St Michael's College (Merrimac)
Clayton Reddan—Roma State College
Lara Santo—Assumption College Warwick
Georgia White—Maryborough State High School
Chaperones
Courtney Trost—Ferny Hills State School
Jake Hartland—Marsden State High School