Writing about women in war

The Ettalong War Widows Guild Club presented prizes to three Year 9 students of Brisbane Water Secondary College, at Woy Woy campus, for their winning essays on women in war on August 18.

The prizes were presented at Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club by the guild's president, Mrs Joyce Davis.

First prize was awarded to Emily Francis, second prize to Amanda Simmons, and third prize to James Luke.

The students gave public readings of their essays, each in excess of 750 words, to guild members prior to receiving their awards.

Mr Roger Macey, head teacher of history at the Woy Woy campus, said that the guild invited Brisbane Water Secondary College students to write essays on the theme of women in war and that about three dozen Year 9 students from the Woy Woy campus submitted essays.

The guild's publicity officer, Mrs Betty Johnston, said: "As the guild will be celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, it was thought that bringing attention to the part women play in war to this age group would be emphasized."

Mrs Davis said that the winning essays were "very interesting" and that the essay awarded first prize demonstrated "a great deal of research".

Mr Macey said that the essay winners "did great jobs".

Con Orfanos, press release, August 18