Six high school students will learn about the contribution of Anzac soldiers and nurses during a once-in-a-lifetime journey of key battlefields in Europe as part of the Premier’s Anzac Ambassadors Program.

Eduardo Bianchino, Shehani De Silva, Petra Stojnic, Joshua Bednar, Lauren Sullivan, and Liam Rickard, aged 16 and 17 years, will visit Athens, Lemnos, Crete, Paris, Ieper and the Somme as part of a two week tour sponsored by ClubsNSW.

They will spend Anzac Day at Villers Bretonneux – a key battleground for the Anzacs that created a long lasting friendship with the town.

NSW Premier Mike Baird said it was an honour to meet the six young ambassadors.

“It’s wonderful to know that our younger generations have such a deep understanding of the sacrifices and contributions made by the Anzacs,” Mr Baird said.

“This journey to key First World War battlefields will deepen their knowledge of events that shaped our nation a century ago.”

Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the tour will bring the Anzac story to life for the six students, who each submitted a 1000 word essay on why the Centenary of Anzac is important for modern Australia.

“It was a tough competition and while not everyone was successful, I hope it has started a conversation about the significance of the Anzac story to Australia’s history,” Mr Elliott said.

ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball said the registered club industry was proud to help keep the legacy and values of the Anzacs alive for the next generation.

“The Anzacs represent a significant part of our culture and history, and this program is one way in which the club industry can play a role in ensuring the Anzac spirit is a part of our future,” Mr Ball said.

“The program will give these young people an incredible opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the contribution made by Anzac soldiers and nurses, and to pass that on to their peers when they return home.”

The ambassadors leave Sydney on 16 April and return on 28 April. Follow their journey via Facebook.com/YourLocalClub or instagram.com/yourlocalclub/