THE Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch president has thrown his support behind a ballot to allocate places to the centenary of the landing at Gallipoli.
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About 8000 passes will be on offer through a ballot for Australians to attend the commemorations in 2015.
Port Macquarie RSL Sub-branch president Greg Laird said the ballot was a good idea.
“They had to do something like that - then it’s fair,” he said.
Mr Laird reminded those who couldn’t get to Gallipoli on April 25, 2015 about the commemorative services across Australia.
“Don’t feel disheartened. If you can’t go, because we have some wonderful services here in Australia,” he said.
Locals will have an opportunity to share their thoughts on who they believe should be allocated a place for the 2015 Gallipoli dawn service.
A public forum will be held in Port Macquarie on November 29 in a public consultation process which will include more than 30 forums across the country.
Each forum will feature a presentation on the location and limitations of the commemorative sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the conduct of the annual Anzac Day commemorations and current demographics of attendees, before a discussion on descendants, the ballot process and special categories.
THE Minister for Veterans' Affairs Warren Snowdon said Gallipoli had special significance to many Australians and the centenary commemorations in 2015 would be particularly poignant.
"We want as many Australians as possible to have the chance to pay tribute to the sacrifices of those brave soldiers who landed at Gallipoli and we know many Australians will want to make the trip," he said.
"However, as anyone who has made the trip would know, there are size and geographic constraints - the terrain on the peninsula does not allow for any expansion of the current maximum visitor numbers which is 10,500."
Tour operators have expressed concerns about the ballot.
For more information on the ballot or to access the survey go to www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au