Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee - 2013 Dinner

Lee Tarlamis MP, our President, addresses the meeting

On Monday night the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee celebrated the end of a successful year.
Our normal meeting was held at the John Rerakis' wonderful restaurant Philhellene. The Committee enjoyed a beautiful meal and the warmth of John's cretan hospitality.
Our President Lee Tarlamis, MP, addressed our meeting outling our achievements for the year. Some of our highlights include:

• Successfully completed our second tour of Lemnos (Greece and Gallipoli) in April-May, led by Secretary and historian, Jim Claven; 
• Organised a meeting between the heads of the Hellenic and Royal Australian Navy's on Lemnos that has resulted in a commitment from the Australian Navy that the 2015 RAN ship visit to Gallipoli will also include a visit to Suda Bay (Crete) and Lemnos.
• Successfully organised the first Anzac Conference on Lemnos, in conjunction with the Municipality of Lemnos, the report of which will be published soon;
• Our sculptor Peter Corlett OAM has completed his design for our commemorative sculpture; 
• Staffing Lemnos Gallipoli information stalls at the 2013 Antipodes Festival (February) and the Thessaloniki Glendi Festival (November);
• Presentations to the Shepparton RSL and the Greek community of Lemnos, Shepparton;
• Proposed linkages between schools and students on Lemnos and in Victoria, including Lemnos Primary School (Shepparton), Alphington Grammar and other schools;
• Publication of numerous media articles promoting the link between Lemnos and Gallipoli and our activities;
• Established and maintained our weblog and Facebook presence, with over 60 news posts to date, achieving nearly 8,000 weblog page views since between created in April;
• The commitment of Port Phillip City Council to support the location of the memorial in their municipality;
• Fundraising presentations with documentation have been made to a number of organisations and individuals (including the Lemnian community in Victoria, commemorative funds, nurses organisations and government at various levels);
• The launch of our memorial fundraising effort at Parliament House in Melbourne, on the anniversary of the Armistice of Mudros on 28th October 2013; and
• The launch of our fundraising commemorative badge.

Our commemorative badge - a steal at $5!

Lee pointed out that as a result of our efforts we have recieved pledges and funds totallying approximately $70,000. Much needs to be done to reach our $240,000 target but we are well on our way.
Lee also pointed out that we have submitted our applications under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program as well as making formal approaches for funding to the State and Federal Governments.

Lee addresses the meeting

Another highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the bronze maquette of our proposed memorial sculpture. Peter Corlett has produced this magnificent bronze model. They have been treated to reflect the bronze's of Classical Greece and sits upon a stone pedestal.

The bronze model of our commemorative memorial sculpture created by Peter Corlett, OAM

John Rerakis informed our meeting of his work with the Pan Cretan Association to have erected a memorial plaque in honour of the Battle of 42nd Street, near Chania, Crete. He told of the brave Anzacs, led by Reg Saunders, and their Maori comrades, in this battlefield success in the defence of Crete in 1941.
The meeting ended with our resolve to re-double our fundraising efforts in the new year.
A great night was had by all, thanks to all who attended and to John Rerakis for his hospitality.

Committee member Terry Kanelos, Lee Tarlamis and our host John Rerakis.