THE INSPIRATION

"After talking with Alec I knew we needed something very tangible to connect people to the Gallipoli story, said Stephen. "People needed to be able to embrace Gallipoli - to feel close to the place where Alec and his mates gave their innocence so that we could have the kind of society we have today."

"Alec didn't glorify his Gallipoli campaign but he appreciated the legacy had grown to become a major part of who we are as Australians. I wanted to capture this in a way that respected both the reality of the campaign - the absolute horror that it must have been, but also somehow to acknowledge respectfully and gratefully the sacrifices made."

Working with communications consultant Ian Paterson, Stephen spent weeks exploring options to make Gallipoli real for current and future generations. "One evening Ian and I decided to imagine that morning on April 25 1915 and what those first soldiers might have felt. It was gut-wrenching. Imagining lumbering to shore in oar driven boats while Turkish machine guns hammered down from perfect advantage; imagine clambering out of tall canvass boats into the water's edge and confronting the open beach. Imagine running for your life in full kit on the heavy beach sand."

"It was the idea that the sand itself was conspiring with the Turkish gunners that lead us to focus on the beach. We pretty much looked at each other and said SAND! That was the link. The heavy sand was for most the first step into months of hell. Sands of Gallipoli was created."

Although Stephen was keen to show Alec what had come from their chat he wanted to be sure it was possible to collect the sand and integrate it as an ongoing theme for ANZAC Day commemorative products. Before Stephen could share the idea Alec Campbell passed away. On May 16, 2002 the last ANZAC was gone.

In memory of Alec and in recognition of the work the Returned Service League (RSL) does to help Australia's diggers 10 percent of proceeds from Sands of Gallipoli is be donated each year to the RSL.

BACK FROM THE BEACH
The sands in our collection was respectfully collected from the landing sites at ANZAC Cove. The sands were dried and then hand screened to achieve consistent grain size. Once sorted, the sands were sealed and shipped to Australia. The permit to import the sands into Australia was provided by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Upon arrival at Sydney the sands were inspected by AQIS and treated with gamma irradiation in accordance with Australia's rigorous quarantine standards.

CREATING THE COLLECTIONS
Each year after ANZAC Day celebrations are over the team behind Sands of Gallipoli investigate themes for the following year's collection. Because of the historical significance of each collection the team works closely with recognised military historians to make sure all information gathered and presented is factual and is provided in context of the Gallipoli history.

With the theme decided the design team set about creating images and commemorative pieces that will stand the test of time, both as collectables and as inspirational pieces that people can embrace as they remember the ANZAC story.

WINNING AWARDS

2004
The 2004 campaign was a great successful with the combined efforts of RSL - Queensland Branch, Rowland Communications Group and Market Link Solutions.
The campaign won the following awards,

1. Public Relations Institute of Australia: National Gold Award for marketing communications
2. Public Relations Institute of Australia: Queensland Gold Award for marketing communications
3. Public Relations Institute of Australia: Queensland Gold Award for overall award for excellence

2005
In September 2005 the Sands of Gallipoli recieved two awards at the ACT Australian Marketing Institute 2005 National Awards for Marketing Excellence.
The awards were;

1.Winner, New Product/Service
2.Winner, Marketing Communications

SUPPORTING THE RSL
Each year Sands of Gallipoli donates 10 percent of proceeds from sales to the RSL. This goes to support the valuable work the RSL does for our diggers. To date more than $500,000 has been donated. See previous media releases