Along the ridges and valleys of the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey grow small oak trees. This prickly plant became notorious among Anzac soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign of World War I for the scratches it caused.
But despite the sores it inflicted, many Australian soldiers collected acorns and sent them home to be planted.
The Gallipoli oak, as the evergreen tree is now known, has come to symbolise Australia’s participation in World War I and the ongoing friendship between Australia and Turkey.
Victoria’s Education Minister, Martin Dixon, and Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Damian Drum, last week launched the Gallipoli oak project under which up to 2000 trees will be planted in Victorian primary schools.
“The Gallipoli oaks project will provide all primary schools in Victoria with a Gallipoli oak seedling to help the next generation of young Victorians deepen their understanding of the Anzac campaign and, in particular, the participation of Victorians,” Mr Drum said.
The project is led by the National Trust, which plans to propagate 2000 trees that will be planted in the schools during remembrance ceremonies between 2015 and 2018, 100 years after the battle took place in south-west Turkey.
More than 250 primary schools, including the School of the Good Shepherd in Gladstone Park, have registered their participation.
Project-based learning teacher Josie Ceddia started building a children’s garden with the help of all 300 students in February to host the school’s own commemorative Gallipoli oak.
Vice-principal Renae Gentile said: “The tree will act as a permanent reminder to the community that we are forever grateful to those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.”
