Fed: Aust Gallipoli travellers could be given behaviour warning

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Fed: Aust Gallipoli travellers could be given behaviour warning

CANBERRA, April 29 AAP - Australians visiting Gallipoli could be asked to keep theirbehaviour in check following government concerns that Anzac Day commemorations theremay be getting out of hand.

Reports emerged today that this year's pilgrimage to Gallipoli was marred by rowdybehaviour, including loud rock music reverberating through the site of Australia's mostfamous military operation.

Some of the thousands of Australians in this year's record crowd also went on a drinkingbinge before attending the dawn service at Anzac Cove, reports said.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said he had attended past commemorations at Gallipoliand believed the poor behaviour came from only a small minority.

"It's a very moving experience and certainly the year that I was there ... people wererespectful, they were quiet, and I think that they were deeply touched by the experience,"

he said.

"Now as it's grown perhaps there is a small minority that don't quite appreciate itssignificance in terms of a battleground where many thousands of lives were lost."

Senator Hill said the government should perhaps offer more information to Australiantravellers warning them to respect the Anzac tradition and honour those who fell in battle.

"I think the best thing that government can do is to make an effort to communicatethat fact to those that go," he said.

"We don't want them not to enjoy their experience, but it is important that they berespectful of the place for what it represents."

AAP rft/daw/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: ANZAC HILL