Students create a film about Anzacs

Mandurah Baptist College students have seen World War I history in a new light after commemorating the Anzac centenary by making a documentary film.

During the past 18 months, history, media, and music students have worked with film-maker Jin Zi Cheng to create the documentary, Memory Forever.

The documentary follows the experiences of the Moore brothers - four brothers from Kalgoorlie who fought in WWI - and the plea of their mother to send back her one remaining son.

The great nephew of Jum Moore, Vince Cusworth, was interviewed for the film, along with community members with ties to WWI.

Humanities teacher Catherine Eppen-Van Der Aa said the project was about making education and history come alive.

"You can read whatever you want from a textbook, but as soon as you get students working on a film set or talking to relatives of people who served (in war), it all comes alive and it makes it more engaging for them," she said.

"The students have been amazing and they have really embraced the opportunity."

She hoped the film engaged the audience in understanding what it was like for families who had relatives that went to war.

History student Rebecca Boucaut, whose father was interviewed for the film because the family had relatives who served in WWI, said the process helped her understand the true meaning of Anzac.

"It was a really interesting and emotional experience to learn about what they (service men and women) did," she said.

History student Callum Legget said he was grateful to hear the stories of relatives whose loved ones served.

"When you look at specific families and how they have been influenced and how it still affects them, it is really eye-opening for us," he said.

History student Amy Trimble believed it was important for students to understand Australian history.

"Without the people who went over (to war) and gave their lives for us, everything would be completely different," she said.

The film has been translated into English and Chinese and is expected to be released in China to share the stories of Gallipoli.

The project was made possible by a Federal Government grant.

The film premiered at the school on Tuesday night.