Australia’s part in the Gallipoli campaign stretched from 25 April to 20 December 1915.
In 2015, Australians will commemorate 100 years since thousands of Australian and New Zealand troops first set foot on a beach far away in Turkey.
Charged with the notion of a great adventure in service of ‘King and Country’, thousands left the shores of our young nation, many never to return again.
The Centenary of Anzac is a period for all of us to reflect on the sacrifice of 102,785 Australians killed in action, the hundreds of thousands wounded in action and more than one million Australians who have worn the uniform of the Australian Defence Force.
We want all Australians, no matter where they live, to have the opportunity to participate in Centenary of Anzac commemorative events and in particular to attend the Anzac Day service in Gallipoli in 2015.
Residents from the Mornington Peninsula, Casey, Cardinia and the Bass Coast who would like the opportunity to attend the Anzac Day commemorations in Gallipoli can now apply for the ballot.
Given the strong attendance of residents at local Anzac Day ceremonies and the number of applications we’ve had for our Anzac Centenary grants program, there is sure to be keen interest in the ballot.
We have many war veterans living in the Flinders electorate who may wish to attend the commemoration and reflect on their own service or those they served with.
For many, visiting Gallipoli will be an important pilgrimage, a journey to reconnect with a family member who made the supreme sacrifice there, or who returned home a different person.
Places will be available for 8,000 Australians, 2,000 New Zealanders and 500 official representatives of all countries involved in the Gallipoli campaign including Turkey.
Widows of Australian First World War veterans do not need to apply for the ballot and will be contacted separately by the Australian Government regarding their interest in attending.
All ballot applicants must have Australian citizenship or permanent residency and be over 18 years on, or before, 25 April 2015.
For more information on Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au or call Ticketek on 1300 364 002. Ballots close at midnight on 31 January 2014.
Download the related file: 251113 Media Release Gallipoli ballot.pdf