2015 Gallipoli Ballot - 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings

[amaroo]

Ours are in......fingers crossed.

if you are interested the link is Gallipoli 2015 home page

Details are...

Welcome to the Gallipoli 2015 website
On 25 April 2015 we mark the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings at Gallipoli.
A fair, open and transparent ballot will be held to allocate places to Australians and New Zealanders planning to attend official Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015.
The ballot opens on 16 November 2013 and closes on 31 January 2014. It’s free to apply but, if successful, visitors must make all arrangements and pay all expenses to get to Gallipoli.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks amaroo, I just put my application in too

 

[drewbles]

Heard this advertised on the radio over the past week. Definitely worth the punt. I'd happily pay for flights to/from for this. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience to pay tribute to those who lost their lives there for our country in a dark page of our history.

 

[straitman]

I applied on the 17th November.

 

[Awesom Andy]

I'll have a go at it as well, especially when I only have to fly out from SIN. Either way, the small ceremony at Krangi War Cemetery is also an excellent place for a dawn service.

 

[phily]

I'm fortunate to have been to Gallipoli, and found it to be a very moving experience as I wandered through the various cemeteries there. It was very peaceful there as I read Attaturk's wonderful statement about how Turkey regards those who are buried there. "...You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace". It was a peaceful place because it was in June that I visited.

I couldn't imagine being there on an Anzac Day, with temporary grandstands erected to cater for the huge crowds at the service. Keep in mind that the roads around Gallipoli are narrow, with almost no car parking areas, and hardly any toilets, and a long distance from any accommodation. My advice is to go there any other time in 1915, and not within a month either side of Anzac Day when the construction work for the grandstands happens. For me the whole area is a cemetery, a sacred place, where one can meditate and reflect, rather than a place for a "rock concert".

 

[kpc]

Agree with phily above. I visited Gallipoli in early April 2006...and found the peace and quiet great for reflection. My guide said that ANZAC Day was "crazy" and he hated taking groups there at that time.

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Not sure if you can read Ataturk's words above....I had a lump in my throat as I read this.

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Regardless of when you visit Gallipoli, and your thoughts about war, a visit to Gallipoli is a must and a very moving, sombre experience!

 

[Pushka]

I've just applied too. As a direct descendant. Although chances are we will be visiting next year.

 

[Atleastonce]

I just received confirmation today that I was successful in the ballot, obtaining a double pass to attend the 2015 Dawn Service in Gallipoli. We were looking to go to London in May next year, so looks like those plans have been brought forward. Given we will be in London prior to Anzac Day, does anyone have any tips on getting to Gallipoli. This is a bucket list trip, and to do on 100th anniversary is so special. We can't wait.

 

[straitman]

I just received confirmation today that I was successful in the ballot, obtaining a double pass to attend the 2015 Dawn Service in Gallipoli. We were looking to go to London in May next year, so looks like those plans have been brought forward. Given we will be in London prior to Anzac Day, does anyone have any tips on getting to Gallipoli. This is a bucket list trip, and to do on 100th anniversary is so special. We can't wait.

Not answering your question but what form of notification did you get?

 

[Atleastonce]

Not answering your question but what form of notification did you get?

Email notification, as did a colleague of mine.

 

[Fifa]

Email notification, as did a colleague of mine.

Congratulations.
Did you or your colleague have family members who fought in Gallipoli?

My grandfather was at the Somme but that wont help me

 

[Atleastonce]

Congratulations.
Did you or your colleague have family members who fought in Gallipoli?

My grandfather was at the Somme but that wont help me

Thank you. I am not sure about my colleagues application status. I had a grand father in WW1 who went to Egypt. I did not apply under the direct descendant section (not sure I could but would rather have left that available for descendants from Gallipoli veterans). Just lucky when you look at the number of applicants in Australia. Over 42000 applicants for 4000 double passes.

 

[amaroo]

I got the email as well....interstate today so I'll post the email when I get home tomorrow.

 

[whatmeworry]

Funny how Australia and NZ are about the only countries on Earth to celebrate a Loss. I guess it can be said it wasn't for the excellent English commanders,

 

[tuapekastar]

Funny how Australia and NZ are about the only countries on Earth to celebrate a Loss. I guess it can be said it wasn't for the excellent English commanders,

I think I'd call it a commemoration rather than a celebration.

 

[Pushka]

Anzac Day is not a day of celebration.

In our household where my Grandfather served at Villers Bretonneux and worked in War Graves, developed severe heart and health issues from fighting in filthy trenches in intolerable conditions, that resulted in an early death in his late forties before I was born, Anzac Day is a day of remembrance and respect.

He was 17 when he was shipped out. Of his family of 6 children, 3 were boys, all of whom served in WW1. Just 1 of the boys was alive when I was born - the rest had succumbed in their 40's from health issues. At least on some sort of physical level they made it home from the War.

 

[badseed]

Personally, I'm planning to go to Beersheba on 31st October 2017 for the 100th anniversary of the charge of the 4th light horse brigade. My great grandfather fought both in Gallipoli and Palestine, and he always wished that people would forget about the former.

 

[amaroo]

I got the email as well....interstate today so I'll post the email when I get home tomorrow.

The email.....



This email is sent by Ticketek on behalf of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
Please do not reply to this email.

3 April 2014

On behalf of the Australian Government and the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, we are very pleased to inform you that your application for a double pass to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli on 25 April 2015 has been successful.


In the coming weeks, you will receive a letter in the mail from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, re-confirming the details in this email, as well as further information about the next steps in the ticketing process. Please read this information carefully and follow all instructions in order to successfully accept the offer.


Details about the ballot are available on the Gallipoli 2015 website www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au.


If you have any questions, please email [email protected].


Attending Anzac Day in Turkey in 2015 will be a moving and emotional experience for all. The Australian Government thanks you for your application and hopes that you are able to attend this very special event in our nation’s history.


Yours sincerely
The Gallipoli 2015 Ballot Team

 

[Groundhog]

Mrs Groundhog received hers as well but alas not me. Shame its only 2 tickets. Anyone want to look after a couple of toddlers around April next year?