Six students from around Tasmania will gain a unique insight into Australia's war history, after winning the 2012 Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Nick McKim, today joined the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Scott Bacon, to announce this year's winners, who will represent their school and their state on a tour of historic sites in Belgium and France.

The competition honours the memory of Tasmania's last World War 1 veteran, Ulverstone-born Frank MacDonald, by encouraging students to respond to one of two questions through either an essay or an audio-visual presentation.

This year's winners are:

• Shaye Davies - Launceston Church Grammar
• Jarrah Day - Taroona High
• Luke Dimsey - Clarence High
• Alexandra Fuller -Penguin High
• Dean Mainwaring - Ulverstone High
• Joseph Short - Rose Bay High

"Our wartime history is an important part of who we are as a nation, and we must never forget the sacrifice made by our armed forces or the lessons to come from the horror of war," Mr McKim said.

"The Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize is an important way of ensuring future generations of Tasmanians fully comprehend this important chapter in our history.

"These six students will be able to visit the sites of events that featured so prominently in their research, gaining new insights into World War 1."

The Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Scott Bacon, said the Frank MacDonald Memorial Prize has been a meaningful and effective way of connecting young Tasmanians with veterans of past and current conflicts.

"It encourages younger Tasmanians to learn more about not just these important events, but the stories of courage and mateship that are so often seen as part of our national identity," he said.

"It's a wonderful way to honour Frank MacDonald."

Both Mr McKim and Mr Bacon congratulated this year's winners, and wished them all the best for their trip.