92 Years later,...in Melbourne
_________CELEBRATING the VICTORY of FRIENDSHIP ___________

Mother country of this pine tree is GALLIPOLI where
the war surrendered to friendship.
There are hardly any wars, which the past conflicted parties jointly
commemorate. This pine tree remains an everlasting symbol to the world of
' P e a c e and F r i e n d s h i p ' Australia- Gallipoli Friendship Society Inc.
___________________________

'Unveiling Ceremony' organised for a plaque to Symbolise of Friendship between Australia and Turkey, organised by the Australia -Gallipoli Friendship Society.
Organised 'Unveiling Ceremony' held at Maygar Barracks Army Camp with about 50 dedicated Turkish people who most of them lived at the Army Camp, having memories. In the ceremony, couple of Turkish members told us their stories and experiences with the Army Barracks along with their life journey in Australia.
The Australia Gallipoli Friendship Society, we handed in 'the symbol of the Friendship Plaque' to the Lieutenant Colonel Michael Pollock (Commanding Officer) and Major Geoffrey Tapper.

Highlights of the event speakers of the ceremony:

Mr. Kaan Yilmaz Turkish Consol, Mr. Kaan Yilmaz mentioned that the friendship between Turkey and Australia started in 1915 and still growing which is a great opportunity for the world peace.
Gary Jungwirth ;( Hume City Council Mayor), Mr. Jungwirth mentioned that he would always support such as kind of events and also he expressed his appreciations to the organisers of the day. He welcomed and praised the Australia Gallipoli Friendship Society efforts and activities.
Liz Beattie as the Secretary of Planning, member of Yuroke
( metioned that; the Turkish people's roots like the pine tree in the garden which the seeds brought from Gallipoli and living since 1915. Mr. Beattie always happy join in such these activities with a great pleasure.
Michael Pollock Lieutenant Colonel (Maygar Barracks)
Mr. Michael Pollock welcomed us and told that when the plaque will be cemented in soon, they will let us know so that we can organize another ceremony.Also he invited us for the Anzac Day ceremonies.
On the day, we welcomed tree Turkish speakers who lived in the Barracks such as Nurcihan Öztürk, Ismail Murat and Mümin Bulut, they told us their stories as well as about the Army Camp.

At the end of the Ceremony we had some lunch and took pictures in the garden in front of the pine tree. We also watered the pine tree.

We thank to 'Grand Foods- (www.grandfoods.com.au) for the Drinks,
'Sultan' for the Turkish Delights and Baclava, 'Katik' take away for the dips and also Turkish pita bread Bakery Shop (across the Ford factory) and a Turkish Cypriot businessman who prefered to be stayed as anonymous for the plaque cost and other expenses.

We also thank to our local medias; 'Hume Leaders' , 'Yeni Vatan' and 'Dunya' newspapers, Radios; ZZZ Turkish Radio (inc. Turkish Cypriot )

Ahmet Polat (3zzzradio-Turkish Cypriot) , Bulent Mimaroglu(ruyafm), Zafer Polat(Zaman), and Mahmut Eren(3zzzradio) and of course we thank to the Turkish people who came to the event despite of whatever their circumstances are.

feedbacks:
Hume Moreland Leader -'Celebrating the Friendship''
www.ruyafm.com.au