The luncheon is an annual tradition at Griffith Public where the students get to interact with the ex-servicemen/women in attendance and pose questions to them, some of whom were still in the service as recently as ten years ago.

School principal Jude Hayman said it provided a good opportunity for the students to learn a about the nation’s past.

“Our first luncheon was 31 years ago and we do it every year,” she said.

“It's a learning experience for the kids as we kind of buddy them up with some of the return service people of war. It's a special memory for these kids here I think.

“We wanted to make it a special event what with the centenary and all.”

Ex-serviceman Greg Walton was at the luncheon and noted how pleased he was with how their service turned out.

“The kids did a fantastic job at the service today, they really did, very professional,” he said.

“The kids were very involved as well as all the artwork that's hanging in hear today to commemorate the Anzac was done by them.

“It gets them involved you know? Learning from words can only help them so much, being able to create something gets them more into it and makes them want to learn even more.

“Being the centenary it really highlights everything, it brings everything to a pinnacle really because people will remember it.

“You say 90 years and people shrug their shoulders but you say 100 years and people really get behind that.”

Another ex-serviceman in attendance was Max Hamilton, who was more than delighted with the understanding and respect of Anzac Day shown by the students, especially at such a young age.

“It brings back a lot of memories, mates that didn't come back home and this is a good time to remember them,” he said

“It needs to be remembered that Anzac Day isn't a day to celebrate, it's a day to commemorate and what the children did here today really shows that they understand that.”