Sadlier Stokes 2023: The 'Crossed Destinies' project of the Collège des Bourgognes middle school

Among the three projects chosen for the 2023 edition of the Sadlier Stokes prize, the Sir John Monash Centre would like to present the “Destins Croisés: Sadlier et Stokes” (Crossed Destinies: Sadlier and Stokes) project by students of the Collège des Bourgognes middle school in Chantilly, in the Oise.

The project takes the form of a short film in French, presenting the research work of the students of the college of Chantilly on Australia’s involvement during the First World War. It especially studies the actions of Lieutenant Clifford Sadlier and Sergeant Charlie Stokes, awarded for their bravery during the Battle of Villers Bretonneux on 24-26 April 1918.

The jury was impressed by the quality of the production, with the scenes alternating from present to past by showing the students researching the history and then reconstructing battle scenes in the forest. The prize of €1,500 was given out by the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, on behalf of the Australian Embassy in France, to the Collège des Bourgognes middle school, its teaching staff and students during an awards ceremony in Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day.

The students of the College des Bourgognes middle school receiving their prize from the Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite on Anzac Day 2023.

The school plans to use this money to visit the Sir John Monash Centre, and to create an exhibition to promote their project and research.

The Sadlier Stokes Prize is awarded annually to the best projects submitted by French primary, middle, and high schools, highlighting Australian memory and involvement in the First World War.