Mollymook Surf Club members were up before dawn to take part in an historic Anzac landing re-enactment at Gallipoli as part of Turkey’s Anzac Centenary commemorations.
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All 26 surfboats that participated in the G100 surfboat event on April 21 and 22 took part the re-enactment of the landing by Australian and New Zealand troops at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915.
This time, the boats were joined by Turkish crews in a symbolic gesture of peace and goodwill between nations who were once enemies in war.
Rower Di LeStrange said the boats waited off shore in darkness until the signal was given and then, in two waves, made their way silently and slowly toward the shore.
“Upon reaching the shallow water, the crews pulled the boats up onto shore and raised all 130 oars into the air in the boaties' salute,” she said.
“It was very moving and an experience that I and my fellow crew members will never forget.
“We were warmly welcomed by the mayor of the town and presented with a translation of his speech which he gave on the day.
“After the speeches and the singing of the Australian, New Zealand, British and Turkish national anthems, we handed out caps, badges and information about the Shoalhaven area to the local citizens before saying a fond last farewell to our beloved Gallipoli surfboat and returning to Canakkale.”
Di said the Mollymook boat had been donated to the National Maritime University in Istanbul.
She said 11 members of the crew returned from the dawn service in the town of Gelibolu (Gallipoli in Turkish) “tired but exhilarated”.
The re-enactment follows an unexpected invitation to row into the cove at the end of the G100 event, despite previous concerns about security.
“It was an amazing feeling to be able to row into Anzac Cove as originally we didn't plan to,” she said.
“But in typical Aussie fashion, a plan was formulated on the go to do so when we were told that congestion from tourist coaches meant we couldn't get our support crews up to Fishermans Hut, the last landing point for the event.
“It was a serendipitous turn of events and one which absolutely topped off an amazing experience.”
The crew’s final event as a team will be the formal ball to be held in Istanbul on the night of April 26, after which some will continue to tour or return home.
The team made up of Barry Page, John Patterson, Lesley Gagan, Len Bolin, Russell Bartlett, Ken Burton, Craig Matthews, Di LeStrange, Gary Gavegan from Wollongong, Darren Jones from Melbourne and Stuart Turnbull from Singapore, were thrilled to be taking part in the event.