West Coast Eagles senior coach Adam Simpson is unable to attend a traditional dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day, but the significance of the day resonates strongly with him.

Simpson earlier this year accepted an invitation as an ambassador for Camp Gallipoli – an initiative designed to give Australians a unique opportunity to connect to the 100^th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing.

Camp Gallipoli invited all Australians to participate in once-in-a-lifetime events, to commemorate 100 years of the ANZAC spirit.

Today, at a series of major locations around the country, thousands of Australians will gather for a special evening filled with emotion, education and entertainment at one of the most significant times in our history.

From this afternoon, through to the dawn service tomorrow, families, students and community groups will experience an event filled with memorable and uplifting moments of remembrance, entertainment and mateship, developed to commemorate the centenary of the April 25, 1915 landing at Anzac Cove. 

While Simpson will be in Brisbane, as his team prepares to play the Brisbane Lions, Camp Gallipoli events will take place simultaneously in six capital cities and selected regional areas around Australia. 

In Perth, the location will be Ascot Racecourse and at each camp site Australians will come together as one, for the first time on home soil and sleep under the same stars with their mates, just as the original ANZACs did 100 years ago. 

The Camp Gallipoli program has been designed to captivate the hearts and minds of all Australians. Importantly, it’s an opportunity for Australian’s to commemorate ANZAC Day as participants, rather than spectators. 

Each camp around Australia will officially commence at dusk on April 24 when the RSL ANZAC Flame arrives and lights a memorial cauldron, representing the spiritual return of the 11,000 brave ANZACs who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Tickets to the Ascot event are limited and are on sale now through Ticketek.