Ballot opens for 100th anniversary commemorations at Gallipoli

Alex Hawke MP, Federal Member for Mitchell today announced that Australians who would like the opportunity to attend ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015 can apply for the ballot now.

“The 100th anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli will be very significant commemorative occasion for the people of both nations,” Alex Hawke said.

To ensure that Australians and New Zealanders can attend as safely, securely and comfortably possible, a fair, open and transparent ballot is being held to allocate places for official ANZAC Day commemorations at Gallipoli in 2015.

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.

Of the 8,000 Australian places, 2,000 will be available for special representatives such as direct descendants, the veteran community and secondary school students and their chaperones. The remaining 6,000 places (3,000 double passes) will be accessible to all Australians to apply.

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 meet specific eligibility criteria including Australian citizenship or permanent residency and be a minimum 18 years of age on, or before, 25 April 2015.

Ballots will be held for both the Australian and New Zealand places. The ballots close at midnight on 31 January 2014 and applicants will be notified of the outcome in March 2014 to allow enough time for those successful to make their travel arrangements and pay for the trip.

“I encourage people in Mitchell who would like to be at Gallipoli in 2015, to find out more about the commemorations and the ballot on the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gallipoli 2015 website,” Alex Hawke concluded.

For more information on Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli, eligibility for the ballot and to apply, visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au. To request a paper application form, call Ticketek on 1300 364 002.