Anzac Cove featured in their itinerary, but the visit was scheduled to take place well ahead of the anniversary of the landing on April 25, 1915.

The Turkish city of Çanakkale was to be at the heart of the central Victorians’ adventures from April 14 onward, as they were paired with host families from sister school Canakkale Doga Koleji.

Little did they know it, but their hosts had been liaising with authorities for months to get permission to accompany their Australian friends to Anzac Cove on Anzac Day.

East Loddon P-12 College principal Steve Leed said he learned of the host school’s efforts – and that they had been successful – only a few days before the dawn service.

“We’ll be a small part of history,” he said.

It was the first time, that he was aware of, that Turkish people had been allowed to attend an Anzac Day dawn service at Anzac Cove.

“We are absolutely stoked about it,” Mr Leed said.

The six students, teacher and principal from East Loddon P-12 College and their hosts from Canakkale Doga Koleji accounted for 18 of the thousands of people marking the occasion on the Gallipoli peninsula.

Mr Leed said the effort Canakkale Doga Koleji had gone to in arranging for its Australian friends to commemorate Anzac Day reflected their broader attitude.

Safe and accepted were two words common to the experiences Mr Leed and the students shared with the Bendigo Advertiser.

“Everyone is very friendly and so welcoming,” East Loddon P-12 College student Macey Martin said.

Listen to 3AW’s Neil Mitchell talking with Jack Fensham of East Loddon P-12 College.

Two of the college’s six exchange students recently discovered they had relatives who served together at Gallipoli.

Jasmine Lawry said being where one of her ancestors, Private Henry Arthur Lawry, and his friend, Private George Stringer, had fought all those years ago was an eye-opening experience.

Fellow traveller Will Stringer discovered the connection while researching his family history ahead of the exchange, which started on April 1.

The students will soon be bidding their new friends farewell, as they embark on the long journey home.