BLIGH UNVEILS NEW MEMORIAL TO REMEMBER GALLIPOLI BATTLE

Premier Anna Bligh has paid tribute to the soldiers who fought at Gallipoli at the unveiling a new Memorial in Brisbane’s Roma Street Parkland today.

Ms Bligh, who was joined by Queensland President of the RSL Doug Formby and Turkish Consul Turgut Allahmanli, said the memorial was a fitting tribute to the historic World War I battle.

“Remembering the ANZACs and the historic battle at Gallipoli is part of the Queensland way of life,” Ms Bligh said.

“From ANZAC Square in our capital’s heart, to Lone Pine Sanctuary – the world’s first and largest koala sanctuary, to our own Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera. Queenslanders are no strangers to honouring our ANZAC memory.

“But this new memorial goes a step further – it acknowledges the bravery and courage of all Gallipoli soldiers – ANZACs and Turks – and stands as a symbol of the respect, peace and friendship that now exists between our countries,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the memorial replaced the old Gallipoli Fountain of Honour on Roma Street and was designed to reflect the terrain and coastal elements of ANZAC Cove.

“The design is boat shaped and the steeped wall of the memorial in elevation represents the rugged terrain that was encountered by the brave Anzac soldiers who fought for our freedom in World War I.

“Glass mosaic tiles representing the historic cove and its waters are other features of the new memorial which includes a boulder and pebbles from Anzac Cove itself.

“Important elements of the old memorial such as the Anzac Forces bronze crest – the Rising Sun Badge - and the mask of Ataturk, the Turkish leader have been incorporated into the new one,” she said.

Premier Bligh said the new Gallipoli Memorial had been constructed adjacent to the Rats of Tobruk Shrine and the Australian-Vietnamese Memorial in Roma Street Parkland.

“This new memorial site has been suitably landscaped with a strong focus on water-wise gardens and includes wheelchair accessible pathways,” she said.

“It has security-camera coverage and the site has been levelled to accommodate people attending commemorative services such as next week’s Remembrance Day.”

Ms Bligh said the Government had worked closely with the Returned and Services League (Queensland Branch) and the Turkish Consul-General on the new Gallipoli Memorial in Roma Street Parkland.

RSL State President Doug Formby said that the Gallipoli Memorial provides a place where both the Australian and Turkish community can pay their respects to those who have lost their lives at Gallipoli.

“The new location and design for the memorial has restored the dignity and significance to future commemorations of the sacrifice that was made at Gallipoli,” Mr Formby said.

The unveiling of the new Memorial completes the Government’s $350,000 commitment to provide a new and improved replace the Gallipoli Fountain of Honour on Roma Street, which will be re-established as a garden.

MEDIA: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)