Lone Pine Peace Park and Handshake for Peace Memorial, Leura Middle Image Image Image Image Image Image 0 / 0 - Prev Next Description / Background This memorial is a grassed reserve, featuring a large bushrock monument known as the 'Handshake for Peace Memorial'. The reserve and the monument recognise peace between Australia and Turkey, and reference the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War. The monument is a large slab of sandstone, standing upright, with four brass plaques attached to the front face. The top plaque is a relief sculpture of two clasped hands that "portrays generals from Australia and Turkey shaking hands". The artwork was created by Terrance Plowright, an artist from nearby Wentworth Falls (Blue Mountains Gazette, 10 March 2015). The reserve and monument were dedicated by Mr Reha Keskintepe, Ambassador of Turkey, on 18 April 2015. On the same day, the Ambassador also planted a tree at the Lone Pine Memorial, Leura, which is a short walk away down a bush track. Adjacent to the Handshake monument is a Lone Pine tree donated by Mrs. Carol Taylor of Wellington, NSW, and planted on 28 November 2004. A metal plaque supported by a pole is positioned in front of the tree. The Australian Red Cross First World War Memorial Rose Garden, Leura is also located nearby. The reserve is directly behind the Lone Pine Avenue and Memorial Gates, Leura. Inscription Smaller bushrock, plaque His Excellency, Mr Reha Keskintepe Ambassador of Turkey dedicated this reserve as the Lone Pine Peace Park on 18 April, 2015. This dedication coincided with The Great Gathering of Peace, Friendship and Understanding, in Istanbul on the same day, marking the centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign of WW1 and wishing for peace across all nations. Part of the Global International Institute for Peace through Tourism & SKAL International Peace Parks Handshake memorial, right plaque Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives ... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours ... You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears; your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well. ATATURK, 1934 Handshake memorial, left plaque [text from right side plaque in Turkish] ATATURK, 1934 Handshake memorial, bottom plaque LONE PINE HANDSHAKE FOR PEACE 18th April 2015 His Excellency Mr Reha Keskintepe Ambassador of Turkey Mr Brian Turner RFD President Katoomba R.S.L. Mr Allan Byrnes President Central Blue Rotary Mr Phil Hammon, Mr Tom Colless, Benefactors In the presence of Mr Mark Greenhill Mayor Blue Mountains City Council Assembled Local School Students & Residents. [logos: the Australian Government; Republic of Turkey Embassy; RSL Australia; Blue Mountains City Council; Rotary International Central Blue] Lone Pine plaque Story of the Lone Pine This tree was grown from a seed descendent from the Pine Tree on Lone Pine Hill, Gallipoli during World War 1. Cones were brought home by surviving diggers and family and friends. This tree was donated by Mrs. Carol Taylor of Wellington, NSW. It was planted by the Mayor, Cl. Jim Angel and witnessed by the Blue Mountains Histroical Society and the Leura Bush Care Group. 28th November 2004. Related memorials Lone Pine Avenue and Memorial Gates, Leura Australian Red Cross First World War Memorial Rose Garden, Leura Lone Pine Memorial, Leura Related links Central Blue Mountains Rotary - Handshake for Peace Memorial Blue Mountains Gazette - Honouring peace in Leura Do you know more about this war Memorial? Click here to learn how you can contribute Sidebar Address Lone Pine Peace Park Cnr Malvern Road and Balmoral Street Leura NSW 2780 Local Government Area Blue Mountains, City of Setting Roadside Location status Original location Memorial type Garden/park Memorial avenue/Memorial tree/Memorial trees Stone/bushrock Recorded by NSW War Memorials Register Year of construction 2015 Dedication date 18 April 2015 Conflict/s First World War, 1914–18 Materials Brass Sandstone