memorials

ANZAC COMMEMORATIVE SITE, GALLIPOLI

The Office of Australian War Graves is responsible for organising and coordinating Anzac Day Services on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Since the dedication of the Anzac Commemorative Site in 2002, increasing attendances each year has seen the Dawn Service become one of the most popular events on the commemorative calendar. This year the services were attended by the Governor General of Australia, Dr P Hollingworth, the Deputy Prime Minister Australia, the Hon John Anderson and the Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Hon Jim Anderton MP.

On-site work commences many days ahead of the services with the construction of stands at Lone Pine. These stands hold 2,000 people and relieve the pressure on the cemetery. Toilet cabins were constructed in Istanbul and shipped to Eçeabat. There they were welded to their trailers before being moved to their on-site locations and connected to in-ground sumps.

The work at the Dawn Service site involved removal from storage of toilets, chairs, stands, flagpoles and fence ropes and their placement on-site for installation and cleaning. Preparations for the lighting involved in-ground laying of cables and erection of light poles to cover the site, connecting paths and toilets. Turkish authorities provided 3 km of lighting on the roadway north of the site.

At both sites, loud speakers were installed late 24 April. To overcome previous complaints that those above the intersecting road on the site could not see or hear the Dawn Service, arrangements were made for Playback, a professional sound and lighting company to provide a 16 square metre video screen on one side of the upper level, a major improvement.

The stands at Lone Pine have now become more secure with improved footings. Contracts are in place to ensure the annual maintenance of the Anzac Commemorative Site is carried out to specifications, and for the provision of services for 25 April each year.

Dr Nuri Erbay was awarded an Honorary Medal of the Order of Australia (AM) by the Governor-General of Australia in a special ceremony on 25 April 2002.

	above: The Anzac Commemorative site from the heights above North Beach

	above: Site preparations for Anzac Day Dawn Service, Anzac Commemorative Site, Gallipoli

	above: Site preparations for Anzac Day Dawn Service, Anzac Commemorative Site, Gallipoli

	above: Site preparations for Anzac Day Dawn Service, Anzac Commemorative Site, Gallipoli

Thought I would let you know that my visits to the Gallipoli area on April 24 and 25 were very memorable occasions.
The Dawn Service was very emotional and the Lone Pine ceremony at noon a very real celebration in true Aussie fashion of the meaning of the day. I was most impressed by the behaviour of the younger generation and their appreciation of the ceremonies. I found all the names I was seeking on the Lone Pine Memorial walls as you had indicated — had to wait until the RAAF Band moved out of their position, which was right in front of the 15th Battalion lists. Thank you for your assistance in making this journey much more informative.