Congratulations to Year 10 student Alissa who was presented with a Virtual War Memorial Australia (VWMA) Excellence Award for the outstanding biography she completed last year on World War I soldier Donald Spence McCord!

The award recognises exceptional historical research by South Australian students. Drawing on military records, attestation papers, service documents and personal letters available through VWMA, Alissa traced McCord’s wartime experiences and military service. She also used Trove’s newspaper archives to uncover details about his life beyond the war, including his marriage, later years and death.

Through careful research and analysis, Alissa brought together the story of Donald Spence McCord’s life and service, creating a lasting tribute that is now published as part of Australia’s online war memorial.

Read Alissa’s biography here: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/193082

Tori Roberts
Curriculum Leader – Humanities