Kiwis Encouraged to Sleep Under the Stars At Camp Gallipoli

Kiwis Encouraged to Sleep Out Under The Stars At Camp Gallipoli

One month to go until Anzac centenary commemorations

With only one month to go until the centenary of Anzac Day, Kiwis are being encouraged to join together to commemorate 100 years the since the landing of New Zealand and Australian forces at Anzac Cove in 1915.

High profile New Zealanders such as Sir Richard Hadlee, Sir Graham Henry, Steve Price, Annabel Langbein and Nigel Latta are encouraging Kiwi families and schools to get involved in Camp Gallipoli - a once-in-a-lifetime event to be held overnight on 24 April 2015 at Ellerslie Racecourse.

Camp Gallipoli provides Kiwis of all ages the opportunity to sleep under the stars, just like the ANZAC soldiers did 100 years ago, and to wake to a dawn service on Anzac Day itself.

Sir Graham Henry says, “Camp Gallipoli gives families and school groups the chance to commemorate Anzac Day as participants, rather than spectators - as mates coming together on one special night to honour the sacrifice of the brave ANZAC soldiers 100 years ago. Attending an Anzac Day dawn service has always been an opportunity to pause and reflect on the great sacrifices made by our service men and women. This Anzac Day will hold a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders as we come together to commemorate 100 years since the landing at Gallipoli, an event that shaped our nation.”

Rugby league legend Steve Price says, “I am truly honoured to support Camp Gallipoli and to stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow Aussies and Kiwis at Ellerslie Racecourse to pay our respects to our fallen ANZACs, and service men and women across both nations. I am an Aussie who calls New Zealand home and I understand the unique bond of mateship between our two countries. Our brave soldiers stood united against the enemy and fought together in terrible conditions. That endurance, leadership and unbreakable spirit is something we will honour at Camp Gallipoli.”

In addition to those attending Auckland’s Camp Gallipoli, thousands of Australians will also be attending Camp Gallipoli events in six of Australia’s capital cities.

Camp Gallipoli CEO Christopher Fox says, “Camp Gallipoli represents the spirit of mateship and the unique spirit of Anzac which unites Kiwis and Aussies from all walks of life and cultures, rich or poor, young or old. It will bring together Australians and New Zealanders from varying backgrounds and cultures, from cities and rural areas to honour the Anzac tradition of equality, loyalty and friendship.”

RSA National President BJ Clark says, "The RSA was founded by returning servicemen and women during the First World War and today we are proud to join with Camp Gallipoli to carry their values of courage, compassion, commitment and comradeship on to new generations of Anzacs. Camp Gallipoli is a unique event which supports our care of veterans and current and former servicemen and women, as well as bringing young New Zealanders and Australians together to commemorate and celebrate under the same stars our Anzac forebears gazed upon 100 years ago.”

The event arena at Ellerslie Racecourse will transformed reminiscent of a soldiers camp to set the scene for Camp Gallipoli. The gates will open at 3:00pm. The evening’s programme will include:

• Video documentaries and live interviews;
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• A ceremony to mark the arrival of the Camp Gallipoli/RSA Anzac Flame;
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• A time to reflect and remember our ANZACs;
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• Entertainment by the City of Sails Pipe Band, The Stonefield’s Choir, Twisty Willow, Evermore and more!; and
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• A feature movie.
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Tickets are limited and are on sale now through Ticketek – www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 842 538. For more information go to:www.campgallipoli.co.nz or www.facebook.com/campgallipoli

Group tickets are available for New Zealand schools – please contact schools@campgallipoli.co.nz

Profits from the New Zealand Camp Gallipoli event will be donated to the RSA to support veterans, ex-service personnel and their families in need, whether or not they are an RSA member.

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