Gallipoli memorials mercy mission

MARCH 16, 2015: I AM pleased to acknowledge the efforts of an enterprising group of Mackay men who will head to Gallipoli tomorrow to replace stolen war memorials.I caught up with Eric Winn and Meecham Philpott, two of the four Mackay men who will undertake the mission, to present them with Australian flags to take with them when they depart Mackay tomorrow.There’s quite a story behind this mission to replace nine memorial plaques at Gallipoli ahead of the 100th anniversary of ANZAC, and the community of Mackay should be proud of this group’s endeavours.There have been numerous hurdles to overcome to accomplish this, but Eric isn’t easily put off and he’s even sought and received assistance from the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator Michael Ronaldson to make this happen in the tight timeframe they have.Mr Winn was asked to take on the task by Melbourne doctor and military historian Dr Ross Bastiaan, who has been responsible for erecting memorials and plaques at a number of war sites.Mr Winn said the bronze plaques, which graced the main battle sites at Anzac Cove, Lone Pine and The Nek and offer descriptions of the sites, were probably stolen and sold. They are valued at about $1400 each.Mr Winn will lead the mission and he will be accompanied by Mr Philpott as well as Duncan Townsend and Jamie Kennedy of Mackay. Another eight men, many who are Vietnam veterans, retired or serving members of the Australian Defence Force, will make up the rest of the workforce.Mr Philpott, who is ABC Tropical North’s breakfast presenter, will record the mission and it will screen on the ABC’s Australian Story before Anzac Day.