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St Joseph’s Primary School student Yetu Akhiwu, 11,  has won Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack’s 2018 Anzac Day writing competition for her entry ‘The Brave Anzac’.

Yetu entered the competition in the Primary North Riverina section, along with her classmates, and was delighted and surprised to find out that her short story was the overall winner in her category.

“I was very happy and surprised when I was notified that I had won,” she said.

“My short story is about a nurse who is serving in the war and all of the heartache and trials she encounters every day.”

Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School Therese Clancy said she was thrilled for Yetu who submitted a quality entry of a very high standard.

“We were so happy to be notified that Yetu had won the Primary North Riverina section of the competition,” said Ms Clancy

“I would like to thank our year 6 teacher Mrs Heath for affording the children the opportunity to enter the annual Anzac Day writing competition by including the subject in her classroom curriculum.”

Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Riverina, Mr Michael McCormack, invited primary and high school students from across the Riverina and Central West to participate in his annual competition in February, which then received a whopping 675 entries that were of such a high calibre it was very difficult to narrow them down to decide on the winners.

Mr McCormack said Anzac Day was one of the most important days on our national calendar when our nation stops to remember the gallantry, service and sacrifice of men and women who have fought for peace and freedom in conflicts all over the world.

“The competition is a great way for students to further learn about Australia’s military history and to help remember our servicemen and women who fought so bravely so we could live in freedom and democracy,” Mr McCormack said.

“I have read many fine pieces of writing since I started the competition, every student conveys a unique and personal experience of how they view Anzac Day.”

“I produce a commemorative booklet about Anzac Day each year which also contains Anzac Service times for across the region and it is distributed to every household in the electorate,” said Mr McCormack.

Residents within the Weddin Shire should have already received their commemorative Anzac Day booklet in the mail.

Congratulations Yetu on your excellent submission.

Yetu’s award winning short story ‘The Brave Anzac’ can be found on page 4 of today’s Grenfell Record.