SYDNEY - Among the thousands of Australians at Gallipoli for tomorrow's Anzac Day ceremonies, none is more moved than Governor-General Michael Jeffery.
The former soldier is visiting Gallipoli for the first time as governor-general. He will be joined by Veteran Affairs Minister Bruce Billson and an estimated 8,000 Australians at the service.
"People are recognising more and more that this day and this place was the beginning of a true Australian national identity," Major-General Jeffery told the Nine Network.
"Out of that terrible business of the filthy war came two very good things - namely Australian national identity but also Turkish national identity."
Mr Billson said it was an honour to share with many Australians the Gallipoli experience.
"The qualities of courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice, displayed by the original Anzacs at Gallipoli have become synonymous with Australia's national identity," Mr Billson said in a statement before heading to Gallipoli.
Mr Billson will deliver the second reading at the Dawn Service at the Anzac Commemorative Site, and will later attend the Australian service at Lone Pine, presenting a prologue.
He also will attend the Turkish 57th Regiment service and the New Zealand service at Chunuk Bair.
The Gallipoli services are expected to be less controversial than those marking the 90th anniversary last year.
The RSL said pop music played at Gallipoli last year was offensive, and mounds of rubbish left by the crowd at the historic landing site showed "a lack of respect".
There will be no pop music this year, visitors will be given garbage bags, and alcohol is banned.
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