Despite being generations apart, the pair effortlessly traded jokes and stories on Thursday as they prepared for Wollongong's Centenary of Anzac luncheon, held to mark 100 years of the Anzac spirit.

The men joined other former defence personnel for a panel discussion at the event on the meaning of Anzac today.

For Mr Thomlinson, an ex-commando, author and aspiring Paralympian, the Anzac tradition crosses all age barriers.

"There's an association between soldiers, it's kind of an unspoken thing, you just understand each other and what you've been through," he said.

Mr Thomlinson, now 33, was serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd Commando Regiment in April 2009 when, whilst on night patrol in Helmand province, his unit drove over an improvised bomb planted by the Taliban.

The blast claimed both his legs.

He now uses his experience, and unshakable optimism, to inspire others and draw attention to the struggles of returned servicemen and women.

"If you see someone walk up and say thank you for your service, something as simple as that could be the difference between someone seeing a dark day and seeing a bright day," he said.

For Clive Gesling, OAM, the legend of Anzac lies close to his heart. "Anzac means a lot to me because my dad landed (at Gallipoli) on the first day with the 3rd Field Ambulance," he said.

"The boats that were landing had 20 men in them, a Turkish machine gun honed in on the boat next to his and only three men got out of that boat."

Following in his father's military footsteps, Mr Gesling joined the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943 as an 18-year-old and went on to serve in World War II as a wireless operator in a Lancaster bomber aircraft.

Also on the discussion panel were Retired Major-General Brian "Hori" Howard and Royal Australian Navy Commodore Bruce Kaffer.

The first two Centenary of Anzac scholarships were also presented at the event to recipients Tayla Hogno, of Barrack Heights, and Jai Thompson, of Stanwell Park.

The scholarships, established by the Illawarra Centenary of Anzac Committee, will contribute $5000 a year towards the duo's degrees.

Committee chairman Peter Poulton described the scholarships as a living memorial to the Anzacs and a link between tradition and today's youth.