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MEDIA RELEASE

Sands of Gallipoli Commemorates 95 Years of Anzac History

SYDNEY, Australia, April 16, 2010 - Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne encourages all Australians to keep our military history alive this ANZAC Day and support the Sands of Gallipoli 2010 'Men of Valour' Collection.

Warrant Officer Keith Payne received his Victoria Cross in 1969 for his bravery during the Vietnam War. 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.

"The collection contains authentic sand from ANZAC Cove providing Australians with a tangible reminder of what happened 95 years ago and enabling the qualities of sacrifice and mateship to be passed on so that future generations continue to remember", Payne said.

"The Sands of Gallipoli remind us of all that is important about war - the mates we lost, the freedom we won for our nation, but most importantly that we cannot let the next generation forget," Payne said.

One of the Gallipoli ANZAC Victoria Cross recipients was Alfred Shout Victoria Cross for his bravery during the Battle of Lone Pine. Commenting on the collection, Alfred's grandson Graham Thomas, said "These beautifully crafted products convey the history and spirit of the Gallipoli ANZAC Victoria Cross recipients and remind us of the sacrifice and bravery of all those Australian service men and women who have followed. I am proud to add these medallions to my personal collection."

The 'Men of Valour' collection ranges in price from $9.95 for a lapel pin to $195 for a set of five limited edition medallions housed in a timber display stand.

The front of the medallions bear portraits of the 10 ANZAC Victoria Cross recipients masterfully recreated in highly polished silver and frosted gold plating while the reverse shows the 1904 Rising Sun badge.

The limited edition sets also feature an additional replica 1904 Rising Sun Hat badge, a vial of Gallipoli sand, a replica of the Victoria Cross and a numbered certificate of authenticity.


The Sands of Gallipoli Collections have contributed over $600,000 to the Returned and Services League to support their ongoing good work within the veteran and ex-service community.

Sands of Gallipoli products are available from Australia Post outlets, online at sandsofgallipoli.com.au or
by calling (02) 6123 2920.


Click here
to view an image gallery of David Koch from Channel 7's Sunrise Program interviewing Keith Payne VC at the launch of the Sands of Gallipoli 2010 'Men of Valour collection at the Cenotaph in Martin Place, Sydney.