The theme of the Essay competition was “Kosciuszko and Strzelecki: Kindness Matters”. I was most surprised by the fact that the youth devoted a disproportionate amount of time in considering the issue of what is kindness. I am not sure if this originated entirely from their own thinking, based on their reading of the subject matter on the net, or whether the matter was discussed in detail during their lessons. Some of the concepts such as „hellscape” or the consideration of kindness as a form of rebellion to a social norm, points to some individual and interesting creativity.
Consistent with our expectations, the youth wrote about humanitarian gestures and efforts for which Sir Paul Edmund Strzelecki and Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko were famous. They also wrote about examples of goodwill which they observed in their own environments. For example, Anastasia Wilesmith touched on the matter of support and help which people need during an event such as the current pandemic. Hannah Taylor referred to people’s solidarity during the most recent bushfire disaster, and Dominic Chaffey talked about his father who heroically fought off flames to save their family home.
Not all of the participants developed their own style, but some of the works did show marks of promise. Sophie Sharpe reveals poetical and philosophical talent. Charlotte Newell delights us with her fast-flowing story and a psychological approach to the issue. Chloe Sanders appears to have quite an impressive amount of knowledge about Kosciuszko and Strzelecki, and is just beginning to combine that knowledge into a logical sequence of events. Special acknowledgement is deserved by Dylan Collis who noted in her work an important detail regarding the fact that Strzelecki fell ill with typhoid fever. Yes, Strzelecki recovered and returned to work amongst those who were terminally ill.
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The Aussie Youth Competition was undoubtedly an interesting experiment and a solid foundation for the development of continued collaboration between Kosciuszko Heritage and Australian school students. We have reached the conclusion that the promotion of Kosciuszko and Strzelecki in schools is probably the best way to popularize these two men who are iconic giants exemplifying human kindness and personal sacrifice.
Our mission is to promote their achievements all around Australia, to people in places close to Mt Kosciuszko and places far from it. If future competitions are as successful as this one has been, and grow in popularity, then Tumbarumba school students will be able to consider themselves as competition „pioneers”. We are happy and grateful for their efforts on the back of the terrible bushfires and associated evacuations, and the difficulties and interruptions to normal family and school life experienced during Covid19.
Dr Ernestyna Skurjat-Kozek President, Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. Tumbarumba, Dec. 1st, 2020
Photos by Kosciuszko Heritage Inc.
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