ANZAC Day: Off to Gallipoli as youth ambassador

Nadine Davies will be going to Gallipoli on Anzac Day as a youth ambassador for New Zealand. Photo / John Borren

Nadine Davies is one of 25 "youth ambassadors" attending the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in Turkey.

Nadine, 19, is a former TS Chatham cadet and Katikati College student and has recently moved to Hamilton to be a lifeguard.

Her former unit commander from TS Chatham, a Tauranga-based chapter of the New Zealand Cadet Forces, nominated her for one of the Youth Ambassador positions, three of which were reserved for members of the cadet forces.

"None of us actually put our own names down for it, we were nominated. I was nominated because, quote, 'I have leadership attributes in programmes through the cadet forces'."

Nadine and her fellow ambassadors will be tasked with tracking the centenary events and tell the stories in their own words. The programme and context of the ambassador's duties will not be decided until the 25 youths meet again closer to Anzac Day. " We will be supporting the New Zealanders and Australians who are at Gallipoli, helping them to their seats and getting them off buses. We will be there for the dawn service and the civic service and we've also been invited to sing with the New Zealand cultural group."

Asked what other activities she had lined up in Turkey, Nadine said just being at the Anzac services was enough, although if she had the chance, she would like to take in some of the Turkish culture.

Nadine has family ties to the army. Her great-grandfather fought in World War II as a tank driver for the British Army and it was hearing his stories that inspired Nadine to join the cadet forces, with the goal of one day joining the navy. "The defence force background in my family played a massive part in me wanting to go to Gallipoli."

Another ancestor fought in World War I, but Nadine was still trying to find information about him. She said she had "a whole lot of emotions" about her forthcoming trip.

"Excitement, nervous, ecstatic about the whole trip, proud to be representing the youth of New Zealand - who gets an opportunity like this ever? There is only one centenary."