In 2025, the Australian New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) Chapter of the GA commences its second year of being a point of contact for Australian members of the GA in our part of Australia. The Chair for NSW/ACT is Paul Simadas, who has visited Gallipoli four times and will be there again in May, travelling with the Gallipoli Association tour. He is a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Australian army. Paul is keen to increase the awareness amongst his fellow Australians of the leading role the GA plays in the UK and around the world in remembering Gallipoli and honouring those who served in the campaign. Local members are encouraged to contact the Chapter Chair to introduce themselves and also are invited to refer membership enquiries to him by email for more information.

Contact email address is: Email: [email protected]

The NSW/ACT chapter will have its inaugural lecture meeting at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney on Saturday afternoon the 3rd of May with a talk on the three Cook brothers who served in the AIF in the Great War, two of them at Anzac. We will also honour Sister Nellie Pike who became the first woman member of the GA in 1980. The Australian served as a military nurse with the AANS on Lemnos in 1915. Details are being arranged for the meeting and will be advised to members via the GA soon. We plan to Zoom the talk, but not to record it at this stage.

Sister Nellie Pike, AANS and first woman member of the GA in 1980. An article will appear in an upcoming ‘Gallipolian’.

Paul Simadas, Chair, Australian NSW/ACT Chapter of the Gallipoli Association.

Email: [email protected]