Bears to School-Go to Bears to School Home

Charity Ambassadors

Keith Payne VC AM - National Ambassador
“There is much in war we cannot and should not share with our young, but there is more that we can and must share. Ours is a proud history of service and it is their understanding of our military heritage that will carry forward the best of who we are and can be.”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Keith Payne VC, AM
National Ambassador

Robert Dick - Former National President Returned and Services League of Australia
“For more than 100 years the RSL has been preserving and honouring the memory of all who serve. This novel approach to getting kids involved in history is to be applauded for its simplicity and for its objectives. The RSL is proud to be part of Bears to School.”

Robert Dick
Former National President
Returned and Services League of Australia
Ambassador

Earle Jennings AM RFD ED - National President National Servicemen's Association
“Australian men and women have served our country in the Navy, the Army and the Air Force in conflicts including two World Wars. Many also have served in associated roles as nurses, medical staff, instructors and padres. The National Servicemen’s Association of Australia supports Bears to School as a symbol of service.”

Earle Jennings AM RFD ED
National President
National Servicemen’s Association of Australia
Ambassador

Georgie Macris - CEO Returned and Services League of Australia
“If you need to consider the importance of the memories we create for our children consider just this one point; somewhere in a primary school classroom sits our nation’s future leader. Let’s prepare them for the future by making them feel a part of our history. That is what Bears to School can do.”

Georgie Macris
CEO
Returned & Services League of Australia
Ambassador

Community Ambassadors & Supporters

Malcolm Turnbull - Supporter
“I thank the Bears to School program for your commitment to honouring our military history and our veterans and add my voice to your call for generous support from the community.”

Malcolm Turnbull
Supporter

Malcolm Turnbull urges support for Bears to School

Bill Shorten, MP - Supporter
“I’m proud to support the Bears to School program which will help educate a new generation of young Australians about the bravery and sacrifice of the Anzacs.”

Bill Shorten, MP
Leader of the Opposition
Supporter

Read Mr Shorten’s full message

Gen Angus Campbell - Supporter
“I am pleased to lend my support to this important community based initiative, to honour Australia's history, and support former serving personnel by raising money for veterans' charities. I encourage Australians to purchase a bear as part of a personal commitment to supporting our ANZACs, 100 years since the end of the First World War. ”

Gen Angus Campbell, AO, DSC
Chief of the Defence Force
Supporter

Read Gen Campbell’s full message

AIRMSHL 'Leo' Davies - Supporter
“I am proud to support the Bears to School program which is an excellent learning initiative developed by AnzacBears. The stories told through these bears, such as the Australian Flying Corps Bear, assist the next generation to better understand and appreciate the Australian involvement in World War One in an interactive and interesting way. I encourage you to get involved with this great cause by donating one of these bears to your local school. ”

AIRMSHL Gavin ‘Leo’ Davies, AO, CSC
Chief of Air Force
Supporter

Read AIRMSHL Davies’ full message

Kerry Stokes AC - Supporter
“The story of Anzac is the story of Australia – of us. From Gallipoli to today, we are given the gift of knowing that we must be brave, not give up, be prepared to make sacrifices and most importantly, help each other.”

Kerry Stokes AC
Supporter

Stephen Davie - Managing Director, BrandNet
“My team and I are proud to be a part of Bears to School and helping our young people connect with history whilst supporting todays veterans.”

Stephen Davie
Managing Director, BrandNet
Ambassador

Alan Jones AO - Ambassador
“Who knows what our children are being taught about the sacrifices made by Australians in times of war? I’m happy and proud to stand beside a great man like Keith Payne in supporting Bears to Schools.”

Alan Jones AO
Ambassador

Darren Chester, MP
“I commend initiatives like the Bears to School program, which encourage students to reflect on the service and sacrifice of the men and women who served in what so many hoped would be the ‘war to end all wars’.”

Darren Chester, MP
Minister for Veteran Affairs

Read Minister’s message of support

Tony Dell - Ambassador

“In raising awareness about Stand Tall for PTS, I have witnessed first-hand the interest young Australians have in stories of service. I am proud to support Bears to School as an initiative that aims to engage our young students with our history of service and the experiences of our veterans”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Tony Dell
Ambassador

Vietnam Veteran, former Australian Test Cricketer and veteran mental health advocate
Founder of Stand Tall for PTS

Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Mandy Weidmann
Ambassador

Greg T Ross - Ambassador
“The Last Post magazine is proud to be part of this program. The honouring of the Anzacs and their tradition is integral to the education of young Australians in helping them get to know the multi-layered dimensions into what makes Australia as it is today.”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Greg T Ross
Editor/Owner The Last Post magazine
Ambassador

Brian Hartigan - Ambassador
“As Editor of CONTACT magazine, I am focused on the work, lives and passions of contemporary men and women in military uniform – all of whom have the ‘Spirit of ANZAC’ running proudly through their veins. I am honoured to support and promote Bears to School as a unique and truely awesome education initiative.. ”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Brian Hartigan
Managing Editor – CONTACT Air Land & Sea Magazine
Ambassador

Andrew Moebus - Supporter
“The sacrifices that were and are made for our Country should never be forgotten. Educating our kids through this programme is something that Australian Military Bank and RSL Money are extremely proud to support and will allow the legacy of that sacrifice to be forever in our thoughts. ”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Andrew Moebus
RSL Money
Supporter

Sue Ellery MLC
Minister for Education, WA
“The Western Australian Government commends any initiative that will enhance the quality of teaching and learning programs.”

Sue Ellery MLC
Minister for Education, WA

 

David Elliott MP
Minister for Veterans Affairs, NSW
“I also commend your efforts to engage younger generations in learning about the service and sacrifice of our diggers. I wish you all the best for the success of the Bears to School initiative.”

David Elliott MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, NSW

Craig McNally - Supporter
“The spirit of ANZAC, born during the Great War, lies at the centre of our wonderful nation. As we commemorate the final year of the centenary of WW1, it is more important than ever to educate the next generation about our past to ensure the magnitude of those sacrifices is never forgotten. Ramsay Health Care is proud to partner with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to provide treatment and care through our facilities to Australian veterans, war widows, and widowers. We hope our support of the Bears to School initiative helps to preserve the legacy of our military history. ”
Mandy Weidmann - Ambassador
“The benefits of the Bears to School Program extend beyond the classroom into an entire school community - providing an opportunity for families to connect over the stories and values of Australia’s proud history of service. Every school deserves a collection of these gorgeous and special bears!”

Craig McNally,
Managing Director and CEO of Ramsay Health Care
Supporter

Gordon Ramsay MLA
Minister for Veterans, ACT
“The stories of our service men and women and the contribution they have made to our community deserve to be told… ”

Gordon Ramsay MLA
Minister for Veterans, ACT

Grace Grace MP
Minister for Education, QLD
“The 2018 Bears to School initiative will also help Queensland primary students appreciate the history and service of the men and women who fought for our nation during the Great War of 1914-1918.”

Grace Grace MP
Minister for Education, QLD

 

Peter Tinley MLA
Minister for Veterans' Issues, WA
“It is important for children, young people and the broader community to recognise and acknowledge the sacrifices made by our forebears, and how they helped to make Australia the great nation it is today.”

Peter Tinley MLA
Minister for Veterans’ Issues, WA

Eva Lawler MLA
Minister for Education, NT
“I am pleased to support this initiative as a way of engaging primary school students in the history if the Anzacs and other military actions.”

Eva Lawler MLA
Minister for Education, NT

 

Ben Farinazzo
Veteran Advocate & Invictus Athlete
“The ANZAC Bears to School program is an engaging, community-focused initiative that recognises Australia's proud history of service and supports our contemporary veterans and their families. The ANZAC Bears together with the programs are designed to help parents, teachers, Defence School Mentors and young Australians to understand the unconquerable spirit and values demonstrated by our service personnel from Gallipoli to today”

Ben Farinazzo
Veteran Advocate & Invictus Athlete

Andrew Wilkinson
Invictus Athlete
“I am proud to support the Bears to School initiative as a way of sharing Australia’s heritage of service with young students and to educate them about our Anzac history and traditions.”

Andrew Wilkinson
Invictus Athlete

 

Invictus Team Australia Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors

Aiden Davie
Student Ambassador
“Having Trooper Jones in the classroom with us made our history lesson come alive. I want to share the Bears to School message with other students and tell the stories of our diggers from the Great War.”

Aiden Davie
Student Ambassador

View the Student Ambassadors page

Corporate Supporters

News Corp Australia

#ThanksForServing

Academy of Interactive Entertainment

Ramsay Health Care

ASC

BrandNet


SAAB Australia


Marand


SeaLink Travel Group


RSL Money


The Last Post Magazine


Contact Air Land & Sea

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Downer Defence Services


Cubic Defence Australia


Medibank


CAE Inc.

Community Supporters


Lion’s Club of Hannan Goldfields


Goulburn Soldier’s Club


Rotary Club of Dingley Village


Caloundra RSL Sub Branch