FOUR lucky Griffith students and one teacher will mark next year's Anzac centenary by retracing the footsteps of the Australian soldiers who fought in Turkey 100 years ago.
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Griffith High School supervising teacher Venessa Horne, will accompany students Madison Penrith, Giulia Zanotto, Andy McRae and Thomas Martin who have been selected to be among 100 to represent NSW at Centenary of Anzac commemorations at Gallipoli in April 2015.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Victor Dominello made the announcement last week.
Seventeen-year-old Andy McRae, whose brother Jock is serving overseas at the moment, said he was ecstatic.
“I jumped up and down when it was announced. I couldn’t believe it,” he said.
“My great-grandfather and grandfather served and I have a desire to follow my elder brother into the forces.
“Just to be able to see where the soldiers served and experience what I think should be the best Dawn Service I’ll ever see will be surreal.”
Madison Penrith, 15, said she will proudly represent the Indigenous community.
Thomas Martin’s great-grandfather survived Gallipoli, but his best mate and cousin was killed in action.
“I just want to pay my respects to everyone who was involved and try and find his grave,” he said.
Giulia Zanotto said she looked forward to the experience.
“I’m really, really excited to go,” she said.
“I couldn’t believe it when I got picked.
“It will be good to see what it’s like in Turkey so we can get a better understanding of what the war was like.”
Miss Horne said they were all looking forward to what she expected to be a trip of a lifetime.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s exciting,” she said.
“It’s been fun organising passports and all of the paperwork.
“All of the other schools are in Sydney or really big. We are quite small and only one of four outside the metropolitan area. I went to Gallipoli last year a month after Anzac Day, so for me to actually see the Dawn Service will be amazing.”