2015 Gallipoli Ballot - 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landings

[amaroo]

So have received an e-mail today - huge muddle, cabin double booked. Full refund offered which we have accepted. Gallipoli will have to wait. I have to say I think they have acted very ethically (well I think they have - wait to see if refund arrives). I actually felt very sorry for them and almost accepted the partial refund and small cabin they were offering. However Mr FM had become very disenchanted - being drooped from communications for 7 months was a bit of a worry....

We are planning to stay longer in Italy and go to Milan, Pisa and Florence after Venice and then fly to Istanbul from Rome to continue with other things we have booked. One positive is I can now stay at the Four Seasons in Sultanahmet again and go to the beautiful Sunday brunch. So no AFF meet up for us this time......

Very sad to read this. Given the circumstances - I reckon we would've pulled the plug too.

Enjoy your revised trip - sounds great! Don't worry, I'll make sure I raise a glass for you on the FS terrace

 

[Groundhog]

Appears to be Kosher...

Ok thanks Amaroo,

 

[Deleted member 9370]

Looks like they are having trouble filling the quota!
[h=1]MINISTER FOR VETERANS' AFFAIRS[/h]

[h=2]SENATOR THE HON. MICHAEL RONALDSON
MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC
SPECIAL MINISTER OF STATE[/h]

---

​

GALLIPOLI CENTENARY ATTENDANCE PASSES RELEASED ​

More Australians will be offered the chance to attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Gallipoli as the next call on the ballot’s waitlist has been activated.
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said 304 double passes have been released to the next Australians on the Gallipoli waitlist.
Round seven of the waitlist will allow individuals offered a double pass 14 days to accept it. Those who no longer wish to attend are encouraged to decline the offer as soon as possible so it can be released to the next person on the waitlist.
In accepting a double pass, the ticket holder is required to provide confirmation of their travel arrangements. Applicants should speak to their travel agent as soon as possible to ensure they can access suitable tour bookings and flights to and from Turkey in time for the events on Anzac Day.
The Anzac Centenary is this nation’s most significant period of commemoration and the Government is committed to ensuring all Australians have the opportunity to participate.
Those without attendance passes to the commemorations may consider visiting Gallipoli on 6 August 2015 for the Battle of Lone Pine Centenary commemoration service. The Battle at Lone Pine saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Gallipoli campaign.
Australians may also consider attending another Dawn Service in Australia or overseas or watch the television broadcast of the Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux services on the ABC. Another option is to visit Gallipoli at another time during the Centenary year.
For more information on Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli visit www.gallipoli2015.dva.gov.au

 

[Flying mermaid]

They were always going to have this problem - they needed to have people confirm travel arrangements much much sooner and have more time to process the waitlist. How many people getting a ticket now are going to be able to organise to go......Fortunately there are a lot of people with travel already booked who don't have tickets, so in the end they should be able to allocate them..... Anyway we now arrive in Istanbul late on the 24th, so in the incredibly unlikely event we get allocated a ticket we will be declining.....

 

[amaroo]

They were always going to have this problem - they needed to have people confirm travel arrangements much much sooner and have more time to process the waitlist. How many people getting a ticket now are going to be able to organise to go......Fortunately there are a lot of people with travel already booked who don't have tickets, so in the end they should be able to allocate them..... Anyway we now arrive in Istanbul late on the 24th, so in the incredibly unlikely event we get allocated a ticket we will be declining.....

Such a shame! We've got four nights at the FS, however we'll be long gone by the time you check-in .... back very, very late on the 25th for a mattress run at the Park Hyatt before we fly to LHR on the 26th.

 

[Atleastonce]

Just got notification of a flight change by Etihad. Booked to fly IST to AUH in F on 27/4 the day our tour finishes. Hotel all booked in AUH from 27/4. Flight now changed to 28/4 and when I check on Etihad website flight appears to be cancelled on 27/4. Choice of extra night in IST and reduce AUH to 1 day or forfeit last night of tour and fly out of IST the day earlier and spend an extra night in AUH. Argh why would they cancel a flight this far out and just for the one day.

 

[Pushka]

There's a lot to see in Istanbul. How many days there? And I think much less in AUH. The Grand Mosque and Ferrari World? If only in Istanbul for a couple of days then that's where I'd stay.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The last time we were in Istanbul we spent 5 nights there and still didn't do everything we wanted to E.g walking across the bridge to the Galata Tower, so I would spend the extra time in Istanbul.

 

[Rick93]

Apparently, a 'storm' has blown "50%" of the beach away !!

Turkish Govt. to work 'frantically' to restore the commemorative site to 'what is expected' ...

( not a 'big' story in Australia, but a bit concerning ?? )

 

[Gogo65]

Just got notification of a flight change by Etihad. Booked to fly IST to AUH in F on 27/4 the day our tour finishes. Hotel all booked in AUH from 27/4. Flight now changed to 28/4 and when I check on Etihad website flight appears to be cancelled on 27/4. Choice of extra night in IST and reduce AUH to 1 day or forfeit last night of tour and fly out of IST the day earlier and spend an extra night in AUH. Argh why would they cancel a flight this far out and just for the one day.

On the Gallipoli face book pages there are many people complaining of cancelled flights by etihad.
Flying mermaid it appears that military history tours have upped the price of the cruise by $600pp due to an unexpected increase in services. (As reported on Facebook) So maybe you are better off giving it all a miss, although I'm sure you're disappointed your new itinerary sounds fantastic!

 

[Flying mermaid]

On the Gallipoli face book pages there are many people complaining of cancelled flights by etihad.
Flying mermaid it appears that military history tours have upped the price of the cruise by $600pp due to an unexpected increase in services. (As reported on Facebook) So maybe you are better off giving it all a miss, although I'm sure you're disappointed your new itinerary sounds fantastic!

After not communicating with us for 7 months they have now put us on the email list and we are getting emails in spite of having cancelled, so I got that one. I must admit I did think I was glad we are out of it.

I do feel sorry for Paul and Graham though they are really nice guys and have worked very hard but everything seems to be working against them....

I am sure we will feel a little sad when we see it all on television, but I am having fun with the new trip. Just waiting for online sales for April for the Last Supper in Milan to open up, so we can get some tickets at a reasonable price rather than booking a tour.

 

[Atleastonce]

Just got notification of a flight change by Etihad. Booked to fly IST to AUH in F on 27/4 the day our tour finishes. Hotel all booked in AUH from 27/4. Flight now changed to 28/4 and when I check on Etihad website flight appears to be cancelled on 27/4. Choice of extra night in IST and reduce AUH to 1 day or forfeit last night of tour and fly out of IST the day earlier and spend an extra night in AUH. Argh why would they cancel a flight this far out and just for the one day.

Decided to go the day early and spend an extra day in Abu Dhabi and do a day trip to Dubai. Never been to either and Mrs Atleastonce is getting a little nervous about Turkey. Biggest issue is the flight from IST to AUH was in F but now can only do in J. First world problems.

 

[Groundhog]

Just wondering if anyone has received their tickets for the ceremony yet?

 

[amaroo]

Just wondering if anyone has received their tickets for the ceremony yet?

Got an email yesterday detailing the process for issuing passes...

Issuing of attendance passesAttendance passes (tickets) are about to be printed. All ballot accounts will be locked for the printing process and no further changes to passport details or your accompanying person will be permitted.
The passes will be produced in batches, with the first passes being printed for individuals who have all passport and travel details recorded in their ballot account, for both themselves and their accompanying person (if they are taking one).
Attendance passes will be dispatched from mid-March 2015. If you have not received your attendance pass/es by the start of April, please contact Ticketek on 1300 364 002 or email If you applied for and were approved to receive an Assisted Mobility pass, this will be sent to you separately from the attendance pass/es.
The attendance pass/es will be sent to the primary pass holder, at their residential address. An information booklet will accompany the pass/es, which will help in your preparations for attending the Anzac Day commemorations at Gallipoli.
Departing Australia before April?
If you are leaving Australia (or your usual place of residence) before April and do not receive your attendance pass/es prior to your departure, Ticketek will operate a pop-up office in Turkey where you can collect your pass/es. The office will be located in a hotel in the town of Eceabat, on the Gallipoli peninsula at:
Villa Bagci Pansiyon
Ismetpasa Mahallesi
Agaderesi Sokak, No:4,
Eceabat 17900

Directions are available on the hotel’s website at
The office will operate for attendance pass pick up from 9.00am – 11.00am and 3.00pm – 5.00pm, daily from 20 to 23 April 2015. Your attendance pass/es will be available to pick up on proof of identification of the primary pass holder - make sure you bring your passport for identification.
If you are not able to pick up your attendance passes from Villa Bagci Pansiyon, there will be processes in place for collecting your attendance pass/es when you

 

[Atleastonce]

Yep we got that email too. We leave on 1 April, so hope we get ours early.

 

[Gogo65]

Yep we got that email too. We leave on 1 April, so hope we get ours early.

We leave end of March, so hoping they will arrive sooner rather than later!

 

[amaroo]

Have just finalised restaurant bookings for our 4 nights in IST



IST appears to have quite a food scene.

We've also managed to get a table at Le Gavroche (London) for his 8 course tasting menu - really looking forward to this one!

 

[Flying mermaid]

Have just finalised restaurant bookings for our 4 nights in IST

View attachment 43364

IST appears to have quite a food scene.

We've also managed to get a table at Le Gavroche (London) for his 8 course tasting menu - really looking forward to this one!

Going to share your Istanbul places? I might copy. We are definitely brunching at FS on Sunday 26th but haven't thought beyond that.....One of the horrible things about being over 60 is you can't eat as much - given how much I love food that is very sad.....

 

[amaroo]

Going to share your Istanbul places? I might copy. We are definitely brunching at FS on Sunday 26th but haven't thought beyond that.....One of the horrible things about being over 60 is you can't eat as much - given how much I love food that is very sad.....

PM sent.......

 

[medhead]

Going to share your Istanbul places? I might copy. We are definitely brunching at FS on Sunday 26th but haven't thought beyond that.....One of the horrible things about being over 60 is you can't eat as much - given how much I love food that is very sad.....

Is it a general sunday brunch get together, or just private arrangements?