The New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Chapter in Australia of the Gallipoli Association held its very first seminar in May 2025. Titled “Service at Gallipoli and Afterwards in the Great War, commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Campaign”, the seminar was held on the 3rd of May 2025 at the Anzac Memorial in Sydney and attracted an attendance of over forty people, including UK member Debbie from Dundee in Scotland who was visiting Australia at the time.

This was also a joint meeting between the Families and Friends of the First AIF, and the Australian New South Wales branch of the Western Front Association and ensured a good turn-out for the day.

Ian Faulconbridge presents the story of the Cook brothers.

Three presentations were made by descendants of Australians who had served at Gallipoli and then went on to serve elsewhere in the Great War.

Ian Faulconbridge talked about his research into his three great-uncles in “The Cook Brothers at War”. One, George Cook, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Gallipoli.

The meeting then paid tribute to Nellie Alfreda Laffin, née Pike, an AANS nurse who served for several months on Lemnos in 1915, and became the very first woman veteran and full-member woman member of the Gallipoli Association in the 1980s after being initially enrolled as an associate member. Craig Laffin, a grandson of Nellie, was present and spoke fondly about Nellie’s passion to serve her country and tend the wounded in the war.

Paul Simadas, the chapter chair, delivered a short presentation in honour of Nellie’s service in Egypt, Lemnos and England and of her story as the GA’s first woman member, ever.

Above: Craig Laffin (left) and Paul Simadas delivered a joint presentation on Sister Nellie Laffin née. Her story is told in the previous edition of ‘The Gallipolian’.

The final talk was by GA member Andrew Dunlop, who presented a talk titled “Clement York Varley, ASC and AFC 1914-1919”. Varley served as a army service corps non-commissioned officer at Gallipoli and in France, before volunteering for pilot training in the Australian Flying Corps in late. Clement declined the offer of ANZAC home leave made in 1918 for men who had served at Gallipoli in 1915 and instead extended his service to become a pilot in the Australian Flying Corps. Though the war ended in the meantime, he flew over England as an instructor pilot until July 1919.

Above: Andrew Dunlop describes the service of Clement Varley and showed several interesting items relating to his service, including his pilot log books and wartime photographs.

Members and guests assisted in making the event a great success with arranging raffle prizes and an afternoon tea to top things off. Thank to all who supported this event.

Paul Simadas