2013 Gallipoli Volunteer Program details

Transcription

1 World Conservation Programs 2013 Gallipoli Volunteer Program details Be at Gallipoli for Anzac Day Visit the significant battlefields of the Gallipoli Peninsula Be part of the important Commemorative Services Join a team that serves Anzac Day visitors

2 Gallipoli Volunteer Program You are invited to take part in a special experience and the chance to serve Gallipoli is a special place for Australian and New Zealand people and was a turning point in our identity. Since the historical WW1 battle on the shores of Turkey, Gallipoli has been immortalized in film, books, TV and forms a rich and tragic part of Australia and New Zealand s history. There were 20,000 of us on a 380 acre selection for several months, under fire all the time. Small as it was, that bit of Gallipoli would forever be part of Australia. Maj. Gen. I. G. McKay, Dec. 22, 1915 Every year, thousands flock to Gallipoli to take part in the stirring commemorations during ANZAC Day and to pay homage to those that fell fighting for their country. For many people, a visit to Gallipoli ranks high on their Must Do list and is a profound pilgrimage. With growing numbers of visitors to the region during the ANZAC Day period, there is a need for more support to ensure that all events run smoothly and care is taken of visitors. Conservation Volunteers and Gallipoli Conservation Volunteers (CV) is the largest not-for-profit environmental volunteering organisation in Australia and New Zealand. Since 1982, Conservation Volunteers has been involved in connecting people with meaningful conservation and heritage projects. Through World Conservation Programs, volunteers can experience different cultures, countries and be more than just a tourist. Conservation Volunteers, under the supervision of the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Affairs New Zealand, has been assisting with the activities in Gallipoli since 2006 and provides volunteers with an opportunity to not just attend but to BE INVOLVED in these important commemorative services. What s involved? On this amazing volunteer opportunity, you will have the chance to experience the beauty, tragedy and reverence of this incredible historical location and play an important part in providing volunteer support during the dawn ceremony and other key commemorative services. Join Conservation Volunteers, the Event Managers, the Australian Department of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Affairs New Zealand in the preparation for, and the support of visitors to the commemorative services in Gallipoli. The Conservation Volunteers team provides assistance and support to visitors at the commemorative services at the Anzac Commemorative Site, Lone Pine and Chunuk Bair on 24th & 25th April. Volunteers assist with a range of visitor services that aim to help visitors maximize their enjoyment of the services, while minimizing their impact on this very special site.

3 The main tasks of the volunteer team are: welcoming conducting bus registrations providing information wrist banding visitors distributing information kits support to assisted mobility visitors asisting visitors with transition between services collecting surveys and other duties in supporting visitors It is important for the volunteers to be flexible and responsive to situations that arise on the program. Volunteers are taken on guided visits and experiences at significant sites on the Gallipoli Peninsula, providing each person with an opportunity to absorb the significance of this place in history which then culminates with our own contribution at the commemorative services. Visits include: Strolling along the beach at Anzac Cove Walking in Shrapnel Valley where Simpson and his donkey would have passed many times Standing at Courtney's Post where the legendary Albert Jacka won his Victoria Cross Visiting Quinn's Post - 'the most dangerous post on the peninsula' Contemplating Lone Pine, the site of a famous and courageous victory that came at an awful cost Looking out on the Aegean from the Nek, the site of the famous charge depicted in the movie "Gallipoli" Gazing on the Dardanelles from the heights of Chunuk Bair Walking the Rhododendron trail (conditions permitting) Touring the Cape Helles battlefields at the tip of the peninsula A fantastic highlight is a cruise (conditions permitting) along the Anzac coast on the Aegean Sea, seeing the hills and ridges much as they were when first seen by the original Anzacs in See the itinerary for more details of the program. Health and Fitness To be a volunteer it requires a good level of health and fitness. The team typically goes without sleep on the night of the 24 th of April as it provides visitor services throughout the night. A three hour rest break is scheduled overnight on the 24 th of April. The temperature overnight typically drops to around zero degrees Celsius. There are some walks in the program and a need to be on your feet for long periods. As a guide to determine if you have the necessary fitness levels ask yourself: Can I stand for long periods of time (eg 5 hours)? Can I walk 5km over rough, undulating terrain (including some long downhill sections)? Can I climb 5 flights of stairs? Can I go without sleep for one night? If you answered NO to any of these questions then this program is not recommended. It is important for potential volunteers to self-assess their health and fitness before making an application. The Gallipoli Volunteer Program is rewarding and enjoyable, however it should be stressed that it is demanding and without good health and fitness it is not recommended.

4 Who can volunteer on the Gallipoli program? There is a minimum age requirement of 18 years to apply for the Gallipoli Volunteer Program. Applications are reviewed based on health and fitness, interest in the program and Gallipoli, travel and life experiences, useful skills or attributes and team composition. There is also a specific need for some volunteers to have medical experience eg nursing. This is particularly in relation to providing support assisted mobility visitors. Typically there are many elderly people that attend the services that require our support. Our experience has shown that nurses, paramedics and care-givers are well suited to this role. There are extensive medical support services provided at the commemorative services apart from any care provided by the volunteers. There is a specific allocation of places for volunteers with medical backgrounds. Volunteers with medical experience and volunteers with general skills will rotate through a number of activities on the Visitor Services program. Accommodation While at the Gallipoli Peninsula the team will be accommodated at a hotel in Eceabat ( which is approximately a 15 minute bus trip from Anzac Cove. In Istanbul the accommodation is at the Celal Aga Konagi Hotel ( which is located in the Sultanahmet (old town) region. The ferry terminal, Grand Bazaar, Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace are all easily accessible from the hotel.. Rooms are twin or triple share; should you wish to book a single room, there is an additional cost. Food Meals are prepared by hotel staff and are typical of traditional Turkish cuisine, such as: Breakfast - Boiled eggs, ham, cheese, tomatoes, olives, jams, toast, tea and coffee. Lunch & Dinner - salad, soup, fish, sausages, tomato, capsicum, rice. The meals that take place outside of the hotel catering are at reputable cafes/restaurants. Clothing supplied Each volunteer is supplied with a waterproof fleecy lined jacket 2 polo shirts (short sleeved and long sleeved) cap and beanie Essential items Participants on the program will receive advice with regards what to bring with them. In the meantime, please note essential items which you may not currently own are: waterproof walking shoes or boots thermals fingerless gloves waterproof overpants and head torch

5 Program Dates 17th April - 29th April 2013 Team departs Australia Wednesday 17th April, arriving in Istanbul Thursday 18th April 2012 Team departs Istanbul Sunday28th April, arriving in Australia Monday 29th April 2012 Preparation The leaders for the program will be in regular contact with team members to provide all necessary information to prepare them for this program. The leaders are also available to assist anyone on the team with individual attention. Cost The cost of the program in 2013 is AUS$5400 / NZ$6900 The program price includes return international airfares departing Ex Syd/Mel/Bris/Perth most meals twin or triple share hotel accommodation (single room is available at an additional cost) at Gallipoli and Istanbul all transportation battlefield visits program Team Leaders Turkish guide the Aegean Sea cruise... and the experience of a lifetime! Single room supplement AUS $855 / NZ $1026. Additional travel Many volunteers have previously taken the opportunity to do additional travel either before or after the CV Gallipoli Volunteer Program. Some volunteers extend their stay in Istanbul to take the opportunity to see all that this vibrant city has to offer. Assistance is available for all your onward travel booking needs. CV has engaged Boronia Travel as our agent and they can assist you, or you may purchase a land only portion of this program and organise your own travel. John Waller is our key contact at Boronia Travel. You can contact Boronia Travel on (03) or John Waller at john@boroniatravel.com.au John has organised a Classic Turkey Tour ( ) following directly from the end of CV 2013 Gallipoli Volunteer Program. Participants travelling prior to the program start must arrange to meet the team at Istanbul airport on the 17 th April 2013.

6 Important dates for the selection and departure for the 2013 Conservation Volunteers Gallipoli Volunteer Program Applications Action Date Expressions of interest May to November 2012 Applications open 12 November 2012 Applications close 7 th January 2013 Team appointed and announced 17 th January 2013 Deposit ($500) due Within 7 days of appointment Final payment due 24 th February 2013 Team depart Australia 17 th of April 2013 Team returns to Australia 29 th of April 2013 Applications close on the 7 th of January To apply: Print the Application Form (available online) Complete all sections and return to: We encourage submission of applications as early as possible. This program is popular, and we regret that many people will be disappointed at not being on the 2013 Conservation Volunteers - Gallipoli Volunteer team. There is a specific allocation of some places for volunteers with medical backgrounds. Additional information Gallipoli Volunteer Program PO Box 423 Ballarat VIC 3353 Australia If you have any questions please contact us at gallipolivolunteer@cva.org.au or gallipolivolunteer@cva.org.nz Apply today to be part of this unique opportunity!