Greg Paterson, of Ararat, has won the Sands of Gallipoli medallions and special edition diary this year with his account of a visit to Turkey and the battlefields of Gallipoli.

Following is his account of his visit to Turkey:

Whilst walking the Gallipoli battlefield several years ago, I was taken by the sheer ruggedness of the landscape. It was easy to see that just living there, to survive off such hard land would be a battle. Then my mind turned to the war itself, how could men endure surroundings like this for eight months. To live and fight there, is testament alone, that they were a special breed; young, resourceful, determined, brave.

Johnson's Jolly was a forward section of trench line occupied by the Australians. My eye caught sight of a small green coated object on top of the soil. It was a bronze shirt button, which had been there for 92 years. The world 'Commonwealth' was visible. The mind rushes, whose shirt was it? Was he a Victorian? Was he from Ararat or Stawell? Questions never to be answered, but one thing is certain, he was an Australian. A son of a new and proud country that is thankful for his service and for all the others that have served.

I can only pray that the owner of the button made it home and lived a long and happy life. The button did and is testimony to the strength, endurance and tradition of the Anzac spirit.

Greg Paterson