Queensland Intercultural Society held 3rd  Annual Anzac Day celebration luncheon at Harem Turkish Restaurant on Friday 23 April with the attendence of students from Ithaca State High School and Diggers from RSL QLD.

Harem Turkish Restaurant hosted a group of students and teachers from Ithaca State High School as well as Diggers from RSL QLD including RSL QLD President Mr. Doug Formby.

QIS President Fatih Asar said ‘ANZAC Day, Australia’s most important national occasion is a very important day for Turkish people and Australians of Turkish ancestry, as it marks the beginning of the modern Turkish Republic.

'It marks the anniversary of the first major national action taken by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War,' Mr Asar said.

'We gather here today to commemorate the sacrifice the men and the women made for Australia, bringing the Diggers - the foundation of Australia and the 2nd generation Australians, children of immigrants who helped build Australia and children from Ithaca State High School - the future of Australia..

'We are proud to bring the foundation and the future of Australia on this special day and we also take this opportunity to celebrate April 23 International Children's day which is celebrated as a public holiday for children in Turkey which is also a special day for Turkish people around the world as it is the anniversary of the establishment of Turkish Parliament and Turkish Democracy.

'We remember the fallen on both sides. History has been a great teacher for all nations and we as Australians, as the citizens from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, as the people of this glorious, multi-cultural, democratic , model country to the World, wish peace and happiness to the world on this very special day" 

Mr Doug Formby, Queensland RSL State President thanked QIS and Mr. Murat Icer for organizing the event.

Mr. Yasar Savran, director of QIS, presented Mr. Formby with the 2010 Anzac Award winner book "Gallipoli: the Turkish Story" by Vecihi Basaran.

After the luncheon, students from Ithaca State High School sent white flying baloons to the sky as symbol of World Peace. 

Harem Turkish Restaurant has been hosting the event with QIS and RSL QLD since 2008.