NAVY PEOPLE: GALLIPOLI is by far the furthest i have travelled

This ANZAC Day local residents Margaret and Evan Cunningham will have something special to watch on TV.

Their son Luke, an Able Seaman in the Royal Australian Navy, will be part of the official Australia’s Federation Guard contingent at ANZAC Cove in Gallipoli.

The ceremony will be televised later in the day, as it happens live at dawn in Turkey.

“There’s been a Navy tradition in the family,” said Luke.

The St John the Evangelist graduate and former Husky player has specialised as a bosun’s mate — which means on-deck seamanship and small arms. Then he volunteered for the Guard.

“I’m the drummer for the Precision Drill Team, and I’ve travelled all over Australia,” said Luke.

“Before I joined the Guard I deployed to south-east Asia onboard HMAS Success for three months, but Gallipoli is by far the furthest I have travelled.

“I’ve always wanted to go there — to actually see the trenches — but to be involved in the ceremony itself will be even better.

“When we’re back I’ll be taking some leave and showing Mum and Dad the pictures. I’ll be bringing back some souvenirs too — I’m not quite sure what, but there’s plenty of time to decide,” Luke said.