15 March 2010

SANDS OF GALLIPOLI - MEN OF VALOUR COLLECTION

During the course of Australian history over 1.5 million ordinary Australians have faced the horrors of war to serve our country with extraordinary bravery. More than 100,000 lost their lives and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their beliefs and our nation.

From the ranks of these selfless servicemen and women, a group of 97 displayed such incredible acts of sacrifice, heroism and tenacity that they were awarded the highest military honour available to Australian Defence personnel - the Victoria Cross.

Acknowledging supreme courage, a disregard for danger and complete devotion to duty, the VC is unique in that it is the only bravery medal available to all ranks. Its simple wording "FOR VALOUR" was personally chosen by Queen Victoria for whom the medal is named.

Originally bestowed as an Imperial honour the first Australian awarded a VC was doctor and soldier Captain Sir Neville Howse who rode and ran through a hail of bullets on 24 July 1900 during the South African War (Boer War), to rescue a severely wounded colleague . He later served in the Great War before becoming a Federal Government Minister.
The last awarded under the Imperial system to an Australian was during the Vietnam War on 24 May 1969 to Warrant Officer Keith Payne. Covering the withdrawal of his surrounded Company and under heavy fire, the wounded Payne spent hours scouring the battleground for isolated and wounded soldiers, eventually rescuing forty wounded men.
In 1991 the Victoria Cross for Australia replaced the Imperial honour. Trooper Mark Donaldson became its first recipient after deliberately exposing himself to grenade and machine gun fire in order to draw an attack away from wounded colleagues during a Taliban ambush in Afghanistan on 2 September 2008. He then ran nearly 100 metres in the open to rescue a wounded interpreter and administer first aid.
The Gallipoli ANZAC VC recipients hold the honour of the most VCs ever awarded to Australian troops in a single campaign.
The Sands of Gallipoli 'Men of Valour' Collection commemorates these eight Australians, one New Zealander, and the New Zealander serving in an Australian unit.
These beautifully crafted products convey the history of the Gallipoli Anzac VC recipients and remind us of the sacrifice and bravery of our troops.
The outstanding service of Australian Defence personnel is mirrored by the dedication of the Returned and Services League of Australia who have been working with the community since 1915 to help our veterans and the families of the fallen.
The Sands of Gallipoli Collections have contributed over $500,000 to the Returned and Services League to support their ongoing good work.
Sands of Gallipoli products are available from participating RSL Sub Branches; Australia Post Outlets and online at sandsofgallipoli.com.au
This year for the first time ever the actual medals will go on tour. The Australian War memorial in conjunction with Kerry Stokes and channel 7 TV, will be taking the Australian War Memorials Gallipoli Victoria Cross collection on tour around the nation.