Eliza Temple wins trip to Japan and Singapore after winning the Tasmanian section of the Simpson Prize

The Simpson Prize is one of Australia’s most prestigious essay competitions, and one Tasmanian has come out on top after being inspired by her family’s war history.

Eliza Temple from Rose Bay High School is Tasmania's winner of the Simpson Prize. Picture: Linda Higginson

Eliza Temple was inspired by family when she wrote an overseas trip winning essay.

The Rose Bay High School student took out the Tasmanian section of The Simpson Prize.

The competition is for students in years 9 and 10, focusing on the service of Australians in World War One and World War Two.

Students either complete a 1500-word essay or do an audiovisual presentation as part of the competition.

This year’s question was about Australia’s relationship with Great Britain and to explain why individuals around the country wanted to go and fight for either world war.

Eliza said she chose the perspective of World War One.

“We were at the Australian Archives, and you got to choose some people to research about, and they actually brought the original documents out for you,” Eliza said.

“I got to research about my family.”

Eliza Temple from Rose Bay High School is Tasmania's winner of the Simpson Prize. Picture: Linda Higginson

Eliza also went to the Australian War Memorial as part of her research.

“It has garages full of material from both world wars that they were unable to put on display because they don’t have the room.

“The public does not go in there, it’s usually sanctioned off and maybe gets opened once a year.

“And we had the privilege of being able to go into those archives.”

By winning the Simpson Prize, Ms Temple gets to go to Japan and Singapore to visit sites used during the Second World War.

For her, Australia’s war history is of major significance.

“I did have some family in Gallipoli, so on Anzac Day, I think about not only about my family that was fighting but I also see Simpson and his donkey and being able to think about the soldiers that fell and fought for us when they didn’t know exactly what they were doing.

“It’s really special to me and I like how Anzac Day is a time that we take to remember everyone.”