Two teachers and a student from Dungog High School are counting down the days for their departure to Turkey for the centenary of the Anzacs landing at Gallipoli.
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Principal Maureen Jarvis, head teacher Michelle Archer and year 11 student Ryan Maginnity leave on April 13 for the three-week trip.
One student from each of the 20 Hunter regional high schools was selected to go on the trip after they submitted an expression of interest to their school and undertook historical research on a family member who had fought in World War I, preferably at the Gallipoli War.
Ryan’s great-great uncle on his father’s side, Henry Charles Gaylard, fought on the western front in France.
He chronicled his personal journey and was successful at both local and regional level, and after fronting a judging panel, was announced as the student to represent Dungog High School.
“Being selected to go on the 2015 centenary tour is such an honour. It is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to see first-hand what Harry and other young men like him experienced,” Ryan said.
“Being able to visit the Australian battle-fields, walk where the soldiers walked and get a feeling of what sacrifices they made will be something special that will remain with me forever.”
Principal Maureen Jarvis said everyone on the tour has the same feeling as Ryan.
“They are an incredible group of young people who have bonded well over the last 18 months,” she said.
“They have known they were going since December 2013 and the trip has been in the planning since early 2010.
“Brian Boughton and Fred Goode from the Hunter Valley District Council of RSL Sub-Branches were the driving force in getting this trip up and going and they have done a wonderful job.
“I am excited, but anxious and nervous at the same time.
“The kids will look after each other but it will be a very emotional time for everyone.”
Michelle Archer said the students and chaperones have spent a lot of time together and have really gelled.
“As a group we went away to Canberra recently where the students were asked to research a Hunter Valley soldier who is buried over there and to tell us their story,” she said.
“This gave the students someone to connect with in the lead up to the trip.
“Each of the students has been given a special wooden cross to take over with them.
“They are encouraged to get friends and family to write messages of support on them and they will be left at Gallipoli.”
The students and their chaperones will be flying to Abu Dhabi, Rome then Venice where they will tour around before embarking the MSC Opera where they will spend three nights sailing to Istanbul.
For the five days leading up to Anzac Day they will visit Anzac Cove, Lone Pine, Dandanelles, Chunak Bair, Cape Helles, 4th Battalion Cemetery and parade ground.
