2015 ANZAC Commemoration

The WIA Board is in the planning phase for radio activities to commemorate the 100th year since Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) Forces landed at Gallipoli. Events will commence on April 25th 2015 and will continue throughout the year until the 20th December 2015, the date when the last ANZAC forces were extracted from the Gallipoli Peninsula. The activities will involve Australia, New Zealand and Turkey and likely some the other Commonwealth countries that were involved in the Gallipoli campaign.

There are strong linkages between Amateur Radio and the ANZAC tradition. Many radio amateurs served their country as communications specialists and signallers, from the very early years of radio to the present day. The WIA intends to provide as much opportunity as possible for all amateurs, especially our veteran amateurs, to take part in the commemoration.

The Department of Veteran Affairs has given permission for the WIA to use the ANZAC name in special event amateur callsigns between the two dates, and the ACMA is expected to issue the WIA with licences and callsigns, for use nationally, and in each State and Territory. Additionally, the WIA’s Historian, Peter Wolfendon, is preparing a series of historical articles and press releases for use prior to and during the event, which are intended to give a historical perspective of the contribution by Australian radio amateurs in the armed forces. Peter is very keen to hear from any amateurs who have served themselves, or have knowledge about radio amateurs who serviced in the early conflicts.

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