Anzac Day takes on new reality for Northpine Christian College student Tiffanie Turnbull

NORTHPINE Christian College student Tiffanie Turnbull has reflected on the trip of a lifetime, after she won the chance to be at Gallipoli on Anzac Day.

22 April 2014 - Lone Pine Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Tiffanie Turnbull from Dakabin, Queensland, winner of the Premier's Anzac Prize pays tribute to Australian soldiers at Lone Pine cemetery. In background (L-R) Pyusan Min from Townsville, Elizabeth Gardner from Brisbane, Mackenzie Plath from Gladstone. Pic Ella Pellegrini

ANZAC Day took on a new reality for 17-year-old Tiffanie Turnbull last year.

The Northpine Christian College student travelled to Belgium, France and Turkey to retrace the footsteps of her great-grandfather, a military cross recipient for his valiant efforts during battle.

Ms Turnbull made the trip as a winning entrant of the 2014 Premier’s Anzac Prize.

“It was amazing, it was once in a lifetime,” she said.

“I got to stand within 100 metres of where my grandfather was injured in France and you could still pick up shrapnel out of the ground.”

She said the trip had left a lasting impression on her.

“Anzac Day has always felt like an Australian thing, but to go over there, to places like Turkey where they lost so many more people trying to defend their homeland, it was a loss for everyone.

“To go over there makes it personal, they weren’t just armies, they were armies of people.

“The less people know of history, the more we are doomed to repeat it so I think it is very important for young people to go there,” she said.

Originally published as Anzac Day takes on new reality for Northpine Christian College student Tiffanie Turnbull