The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
VA027
27 March 2008
GALLIPOLI DESCENDANTS RETURN FROM TURKISH COMMEMORATIONS
Four Australian women who represented Australia as peace ambassadors at Turkey’s 18 March
Commemorations have been thanked by the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Alan Griffin.
The Minister said that the women had been invited to participate in Turkey’s commemoration of
their 18 March 1915 naval victory in the Dardanelles, an event observed in the same way that
Australia observes Anzac Day.
“I am very pleased that these granddaughters and great-granddaughters of men who served at
Gallipoli have represented their country and families at the Turkish commemorations,” Mr Griffin
said.
“They visited the Anzac battlefields where their forebears served, met the son of the last
surviving Turkish veteran who fought at Gallipoli and experienced Turkey and Australia’s shared
history.
”The women now bring their experiences back into their own communities, building
understanding of the peace and unity of former adversaries, in the lead up to Anzac Day,” said
Mr Griffin.
The women were overwhelmed by the kindness of the Turkish people, especially Mrs Emine
Erdogan, wife of the Turkish Prime Minister, who invited them to join their counterparts from
Turkey, Great Britain and New Zealand.
The delegation was in Turkey from 15 to 21 March.
The Australian delegates were:
Karen Throssell of Melbourne, granddaughter of Captain Hugo Throssell who was
awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Hill 60, Gallipoli;
Ailsa Hawkins of Newcastle, granddaughter of Private Robert Portley of the 1st Light
Horse, who was wounded at Quinn’s Post;
Jo Hardy of Hobart, granddaughter of Private Alec Campbell of the 15th Battalion, who
was the last surviving Australian veteran of the Gallipoli campaign; and
Emma Slack-Smith of Canberra, whose great-grandfather Lieutenant Clarence Lundy
MC of the 1st Pioneers landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
Inquiries for the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs: Laura Ryan 6277 7820 or 0437 863 109
Inquiries for the Peace Ambassadors: Carolyn Norrie, 02 6289 4787 or 0413 994 704.
NEWS 
