Navy People: Frankston sailor’s special ANZAC Day

29 March 2010

On 25 April this year, Frankston’s Johnny Vargas, 31, won’t be having an Anzac Day barbecue with his parents Nelson and Irene and brothers Nelson junior and Eric. Instead, he will be spending ANZAC day in Gallipoli itself.

Johnny is now an Able Seaman in the Navy and will be part of the official Australia’s Federation Guard contingent in ANZAC Cove for the 2010 dawn service.

“After Ballam Park I worked as a mechanic for years in Mentone,” said Johnny. “But I decided I needed a change, a bit more travelling, seeing new things, so I got right away from mechanics, joined the Navy and specialised as a hydrographic systems operator.

“After a few years in Cairns with our hydrographic ships I was ready to try something new — so I volunteered for the Federation Guard in 2008.”

“So far I’ve been overseas twice with the Guard, both times to PNG— first time as part of the medal ceremony for the Fuzzy-Wuzzy Angels and secondly to the Kokoda Trail.

“But for anyone in uniform, Gallipoli on Anzac day is the big one,” said Johnny.

Only one in ten members of the Guard are selected to go to Gallipoli, so being one of the chosen few came as a big surprise to Johnny.

“It might be recognition for my hard work — but basically I’m just proud to be selected,” he said.

“I’ll be proud to be in uniform, and actually being in Anzac Cove on a really important day for Australia. I’m expecting it to be a bit emotional.”