Educating the Next Generation Through Remembrance
March 06, 2026
Australian schools play an integral role in teaching the children of today about the ANZAC spirit and the sacrifice of war. Education about conflict is not simply about memorising battles and dates, it is about understanding the sacrifice of service and the complexity of conflict.
Melbourne Legacy’s Annual ANZAC Commemoration for Students is one of Victoria’s longest-running youth remembrance events. Each year, thousands of students from primary and secondary schools across the state gather at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne to honour the sacrifices of Australian service people and to reflect on the ongoing impact of service.
2026 will mark the 94th running of this commemorative ceremony. The day expands on in-classroom learning and provides students with a meaningful opportunity for reflection, allowing students to personally connect with stories of the ANZAC spirit and sacrifice.
The event has grown to become a significant educational and civic occasion, fostering intergenerational connection and understanding. Students participate in formal proceedings, wreath laying, and moments of reflection, gaining a deep appreciation of remembrance and community service.
Over the decades, the event has been supported by successive Victorian governments, veterans’ organisations, and the education sector, with attendance from dignitaries, senior Defence representatives, Legatees, and hundreds of school groups.
Education in the classroom builds essential historical knowledge, but this understanding is deepened by visiting spaces of remembrance and paying respect to those who have made incredible sacrifices.
Melbourne Legacy supports many families with school-aged children, and opportunities such as the ANZAC Student Commemoration play an important role in fostering understanding among young people. These programs help ensure that the peers of veterans’ children develop a deeper awareness and appreciation of the sacrifices made not only by those who have served, but also by their families.
The ANZAC Student Commemoration aims to help preserve the memory of that sacrifice for future generations, ensuring that the ANZAC spirit continues to be honoured and upheld for years to come.
Melbourne Legacy warmly invites all schools in Victoria to attend this special day of remembrance and commemoration. Read more about the day and secure your spot below.
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