Gold Coast to wake to sounds of artillery on Anzac Day as region remembers Gallipoli

More than 5000 people are expected to attend an authentic re-enactment of the Gallipoli landings at Tweed Heads on Anzac Day.

Pictured at Tweed Heads doing a Surf Boat re-enactment of the Gallipoli landings. Men in Authentic Australian soldier costumes . Picture Mike Batterham

ANZAC Day will start with a bang for residents of the border towns of Tweed Heads and Coolangatta.

More than 5000 people are expected to attend a re-enactment on April 25 at Tweed Heads’ Jack Evans Boat Harbour of the landing at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in World War I.

The landing will feature 40 men, riding in four surfboats provided by Coolangatta and Tweed Heads-Coolangatta surf lifesaving clubs, wearing reproductions of 1914-era uniforms.

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Each uniform has been carefully sewn and created to appear exactly as those worn by Diggers a century ago and are worth about $2500 each.

Tweed Heads and Coolangatta RSL Sub-branch’s Dr John Griffin said the ceremony had been planned for more than a year.

“The Gallipoli re-enactment will be a unique opportunity for people of all ages to step into the boots of our Diggers and relive those fateful moments of the dawn landing at Gallipoli,” he said.

The landing will be performed on April 25 just after 5am before the traditional Dawn Service is held.

PMen rehearse the re-enactment of the Gallipoli landings at Tweed Heads. Picture: Mike Batterham

A spotlight will be used to simulate the rising sun.

Performers took part in a final dress-rehearsal over the weekend where they wore the costumes for the first time.

Clubbie Trevor Bathie is among those taking part in the re-creation and said no expense had been spared to give the event an authentic touch.

“This is a really special event and it is a real honour for us all to take part in it on a day like this to commemorate the Anzacs,” he said.

“We want to recreate the conditions in which the Anzacs landed and I reckon the cannon fire will wake up Tweed Heads.”

Garry Doyle jumps from the boat to lead the charge (below) during a rehearsal for the re-enactment of the Gallipoli landings at Tweed Heads on Anzac Day while (left) Thomas McNamara takes aim.

Rehearsing for the re-enactment of the Gallipoli landings at Tweed Heads. Picture: Mike Batterham