By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
TURKEY and Australia combined this month when the Turkish Vice Consul visited Casey and was presented with a special gift by Holt MP Anthony Byrne.
Mr Byrne last week presented Turkish Vice Consul Ersel Ozdemir with a painting from the recent Holt Anzac Centenary Fine Art Show, held earlier this month.
As part of the art show Mr Ozdemir was invited by Provenance Artists Inc, an art group based in Casey, to attend and was moved by a painting entitled ‘Compassion In War’ by Gabriele Jenkins, depicting an Australian soldier sharing a drink from a mug with a Turkish Solider at Gallipoli in World War I.
“I am deeply honoured to meet with the Turkish Vice Consul Mr Ersel Ozdemir to present the ‘Compassion in War’ painting on behalf of the local community to the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Melbourne,” Mr Byrne said.
“The first military encounter of Turkey and Australia was on the battlefields of Canakkale, Galliopli, and this created a bond of mutual respect, admiration and close friendship that has endured for the last 100 years.
“This painting is a recognition of Australia’s close friendship with Turkey.
“With over 60,000 Turkish Australians now living in our country we are keen to build on our friendship in the years to come.”
As part of the Holt Anzac Centenary Fine Art Show all the paintings on display will be donated back to the community.
Any school, sporting group, community group or other organisation in Holt that is interested in an Anzac Centenary commemorative painting to be displayed in their facility should contact Anthony Byrne’s office on 9796 7533.
