The 81-year-old who fought in five conflicts – Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Oman – spoke to students about the upcoming Centenary of Anzac but also highlighted the role they had to play in the future of Australia.

“You have a responsibility to yourself to get a good education and then to look after Australia into the future.

“You are our future. You will be the ones who will decide how this nation is shaped through to the end of this century and into the next.

“You can’t sit on your tails and not learn. 

“It is your responsibility to look after the nation.”

Fielding questions from the students he spoke about the importance of responsibility, respect, mateship and what was it like going to war.

Instead of glorifying the experience, Mr Payne spoke openly and honestly.

“You think it is going to be a great adventure but that all disappears when things start going bang and boom,” he said.

“It is a very dangerous place. In the end you remember your training and try not to do anything that will get yourself or your mates killed.

“Was I scared? Not really. It was more apprehension. 

“When you are in the middle of battle you are not thinking about it but when it is all over the adrenaline dies down you think how lucky you were.

“It is all about looking after your mates and taking responsibility.”

It was living up to his responsibilities as company commander in Vietnam that earned him the Victoria Cross.

In May 1969 his mobile strike force battalion was attacked by a strong North Vietnamese force near Ben Het Camp. 

Isolated and surrounded on three sides and despite being wounded in the hands and arms and under heavy fire he covered the withdrawal before organising his troops into a defensive perimeter. He then spent three hours scouring the scene of the day’s fight for isolated and wounded soldiers, all the while evading the enemy. 

He found some 40 wounded men, brought some in himself and organised the rescue of the others, leading the party back to base through enemy dominated terrain.

Year 6 student Shannon Lilliebridge spotted Mr Payne’s VC medal as he waited to enter the presentation and was allowed to meet the proud veteran.

“We have been learning about the Victoria Cross and what it means in class,” Shannon said.

“We have been learning and talking about who has been awarded the medal.

“I recognised it on Mr Payne’s chest and knew what it was straight away.

“It is pretty special and it was great to meet Mr Payne and actually see a VC in person.”