SRG president’s special trip

Southbank Resident’s Group (SRG) president and returned serviceman Tony Penna is getting set for a special pilgrimage to Gallipoli for the 100th anniversary of the ANZAC landing.

Mr Penna (pictured below right) joined the Air Force at the age of 18 and has been on two tours, to East Timor and the Middle East.

He decided to apply for the returned service ballot for a place at Gallipoli Peninsula for the 2015 ANZAC Day service and last month received the call that he had been successful.

Understandably, Mr Penna was was thrilled to hear the news.

“When you’re a serving person and returned from active service, it means a lot.  I suppose it brings back all the memories in many aspects, of the tours that you’ve done,” Mr Penna said.

“A lot of people have got ancestors who have come back from wars, I know that I have,” he added.

He also explained that while the ANZAC legend was born at Gallipoli all those years ago, it wouldn’t be the only battle on his mind during the service.

“It’s about remembering all the battles. The most significant is where the ANZAC legend was born, which they say was what gave Australia its identity, but absolutely it’s about remembering all the wars.”

“Obviously those that will really stand out in my mind are those that I’ve served in, where colleagues have fallen,” he said.