TRAVELLING to Gallipoli has always been a dream for Junee’s Maja Asmus.
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On Friday she’ll board a plane with mum Robyn Simes to visit Turkey.
They’ll be among the many Australians making the pilgrimage to the place which helped shape a fledgling nation’s identity.
They also won’t be the only people from Junee – with sister-in-law Prue Asmus and her mum Dale Asmus making the journey.
For Mrs Asmus marking Anzac Day has long been a tradition with a personal connection.
Both Mrs Asmus and her mum will tour the Gallipoli battlefields before the service on Anzac Day.
“Being able to get tickets was a big thing, both of my great grandfathers on my mum’s side were at Anzac Cove,” she said.
Being selected in a the ballot isn’t just a ticket to a once-in-lifetime event.
“It’s a chance to learn about my family’s history and the connection to the Anzac legend.”
A letter written from one of her great grandfather to her great grandmother sheds some light on his experience of World War One.
“We can still decipher some of the words after 100 years,” Mrs Asmus said.
The struggles of soldiers on the front is well documented but Mrs Asmus said her great grandfather’s letter was more casual and laid back reflecting the view heading off to war was a big adventure.
She said her great grandfather talked of racing their horses in between training and making friends among other soldiers.
“He didn’t know if he was coming home … it doesn’t really capture the struggle (they faced),” Mrs Asmus said.
Despite the challenges and horror of Gallipoli, both Mrs Asmus’ great grandfathers returned home after serving with the 7th and 12th Battalions.
Their service for Australia was continued by her grandfather in World War II and her father in Vietnam.
“Anzac Day has always been very important and we have always talked about going to Turkey,” Mrs Asmus said.
“We gave the ballot a try and never thought we’d get the chance to go.”
More than 44,000 people entered the ballot for tickets to Gallipoli, with only 8500 Australians selected to travel for the centenary.