Learning about legends of war

A GROUP of University of Wollongong History students met with the Vice-Consul to the Republic of Turkey in Australia last week ahead of a study trip to Gallipoli.

Fourteen second and third year history students left for Turkey last weekend on an eight-day trip taking in Istanbul and the Gallipoli Peninsula to further their understanding of Australia’s important historical connection to the country, forged during the First World War.

As part of the groups pre-departure classes the students met with Turkish Vice-Consul the Hon Mr Ozgur Sahin.

Mr Sahin visited the university last week and gave a talk about modern turkey and the influence of the Gallipoli campaign on Turkish culture and nationalism.

The Vice-Consul was officially welcomed to the university with a special morning tea hosted by the UOW executive.

Associate Professor John McQuilton and PhD researcher Jen Hawksley will be leading the students on the tour, which is the first of its kind for the school of History and Politics.

Prof McQuilton said the students were only able to go on the tour because of a lot of hard work on their part.

“The students have all worked incredibly hard with second jobs, fund raising and supportive families to be able to come on the trip - the first of its kind for the school,” Prof McQuilton told the Wollongong and Northern Leader. The efforts of Australian Soldiers at Gallipoli during World War One have become a large part of Australian legend, despite the fact that the campaign was a failure, with the British, Australian and New Zealand forces involved eventually being evacuated from the shores by sea.

The spirit and bravery of the Australian’s who fought at Gallipoli is often cited as a clear example of characteristics of Australian’s as a whole.