Fed: Hollingworth says Gallipoli a story of reconciliation

00-00-0000
Fed: Hollingworth says Gallipoli a story of reconciliation

CANBERRA, April 25 AAP - The story of Gallipoli was one of reconciliation between enemieswho embodied a common humanity, Governor-General Peter Hollingworth said today.

"What we feel here is too deep for words, too complex, a mix of sadness and futility,of gratitude and pride," Dr Hollingworth said in his address to the dawn service at AnzacCove in Turkey.

He paid tribute to the Anzacs who first landed there in darkness 87 years ago today.

"They were volunteers who were well trained and confident in their abilities.

"They were a legend waiting to unfold."

But over the eight months of killing and maiming one another, the Anzacs and the Turkscame to understand and respect their common humanity, a respect both nations rememberto this day, he said.

"They saluted each other, exchanged photographs and cigarettes, food and messages.

"They organised friendly shooting matches, where contestants on either side took turnsfiring at a target."

Despite their opposing role, different culture and religion, the Turks inspired admirationand compassion in the Anzacs, Dr Hollingworth said.

"And yet today, our remembrance of past loss is more than tinged with an associationto the present.

"With the horror that human beings can so easily lose their sense of common humanity,so easily conjure the `other' into a monster whose life, and death, is somehow worth less."

AAP jph/kjp/jmd/sb

KEYWORD: ANZAC HOLLINGWORTH