Five students selected to visit the Gallipoli battlefields where their ancestors fought 100 years ago had another important mission - to report the key events of their tour.
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The students have spent time at the Mercury with editor Eve Nesmith as they prepare to be cadet journalists for the trip.
Ms Nesmith said all the students had done a great deal of research and what they recorded on their trip would be important to young people in the Hunter.
This tour of the Gallipoli war front appears unprecedented in Australia, with 20 schools from throughout the Hunter Valley represented.
The five cadet journalists are Lauren Wood from St Phillip's Christian College, Jack Olive from Francis Greenway High School, Scarlett Budden from Maitland Christian School, Adam Robinson from Cessnock High and Georgia Filis from All Saints College St Peter's Campus.
Here's Jack Olive's account of the day:
I stood there, head down, eyes closed, heart open.
That was all, nothing more.
Was I sad?
Was I relieved?
Was I happy in some way?
The Last Post filled my ears as dawn cracked through the clouds in the distance.
As I stood on the sandy shores of Gelibolu, listening to each speaker (including our very own Abby Thomson) explain the true meanings and share their personal opinions on what Anzac means to them, I began to feel and understand just how special this day is.
One moment that particularly stood out for me was when the Mayor of Gelibolu spoke.
He expressed his sadness at war and said that all countries who lose people in war mourn together.
We were soon given the opportunity to lay wreaths or leave a token of gratitude.
Without hesitation, I rose to my feet and walked slowly towards the wall of poppies and wreaths to lay the poppy I was saving until this moment. “This is right to be here,” I said to myself, as I bowed my head in respect.
Our service came to a very emotional end when the Australian community remembered a teacher and two students from Turkey who tragically drowned in Spain last week.
Three surf boats rowed just off shore and cast three wreaths off into the dawn lit water.
“They died on the water, they will be remembered on the water.”
This was said by our service’s host as silence filled the beach of Gelibolu.
A commemorative dawn service doesn’t need thousands of people or the largest memorial in order to make it a great one: all it needs is a caring community and an open heart.
We are mindful that this was the case for many isolated people back home.
It has been a privilege to represent you.
