The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize

Frank MacDonald MM – born in Ulverstone in 1896 – was Tasmania’s last World War I veteran and the last of the 40th Infantry Battalion raised in WWI. He was responsible for repairing signal lines between battalion headquarters and trenches and received the Military medal for working courageously under heavy fire. He also served in World War II and received the Legion of Honour in 1998. Frank MacDonald passed away on 23 August 2003 at the age of 107.

The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize aims to educate Tasmanian students about the state’s rich military history, while ensuring the remembrance and understanding of World War I is passed on to new generations. The competition is open to all Tasmanian Year 9 students, as well as students who are undertaking home education at the same year level.

The Prize

Eight Year 9 students and two teachers are selected from around Tasmania to take part in the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize each year. As part of the prize recipients:

• go on a 10-day study tour in April the following year (incorporating Anzac Day).
• visit the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
• attend educational meetings held once a month in the lead up to the study tour (November to April).

The study tour will travel to sites and landmarks of wartime, in Belgium and France (subject to appropriate travel clearances and public health advice).  The group is led by a Tasmanian Government tour leader. The State Government meet the cost of travel, transfers, travel insurance, accommodation, tour activities, and meals for each winner and the chaperones.

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Important Update – 2026 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize (FMMP) Study Tour

The Tasmanian Government has announced the postponement of the 2026 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize (FMMP) international study tour to the Western Front (previously scheduled to depart on Wednesday 15 April 2026).

Safety and risk management

The safety and wellbeing of Tasmanian students and staff is the highest priority. Following a robust risk assessment of the current global security environment, the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC) and the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) have made the decision that an international study tour cannot safely proceed in April 2026.

While the decision to postpone is difficult, it ensures that the government continues to meet its duty of care for all participants.

Commitment to the 2025/26 recipients

The eight students, two teacher chaperones and DPAC Tour Leader selected for the 2026 tour remain the official recipients of the prize. The government is committed to ensuring this group has the opportunity to utilise their extensive research and honour the legacy of Frank MacDonald MM and all Tasmanian and Australian WWI service people.

This group will now become the 2026/27 study tour group, with the aim to deliver a study tour by April 2027.

Impact on future applications

To ensure we can fulfill our commitment to the current prize recipients, there will be no new intake or competition for Year 9 students in 2026.

We understand this will be disappointing news for students who were eligible and planning to enter the competition this year. This decision has been made to protect the integrity of the program and ensure the safety of all participants during a period of international uncertainty.

Next steps

The Tasmanian Government will continue to work closely with the current recipients and their families to keep them updated on tour planning for 2027. We will also be exploring opportunities over the coming year for the students to continue showcasing their research and honouring the legacy of Frank MacDonald MM within the Tasmanian community.

More information

For further information or specific enquiries, please email protocol@dpac.tas.gov.au

View the previous winners of the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize.

Further information about the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize can be viewed on the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.

Published April 22, 2026