Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc: Greek National Day Celebrations in Melbourne

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Our Committee is raising funds to create a lasting legacy telling the story of Lemnos' link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzac story. Our projects include the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the publication of a major new historical and pictorial publication and more. To make a donation you can also deposit directly by direct debit into the Committee's bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Bank: Bendigo Bank; Account No: 188010037; BSB No: 633000; Include your surname in the reference section. For further information on our legacy projects or to make a donation please contact either Lee Tarlamis 0411553009 or Jim Claven 0409402388M

Sunday 6 March 2016

Greek National Day Celebrations in Melbourne - Hellenic Connection to Anzac Celebrated

Photo Jim Claven 2016

It was a great pleasure to attend today's celebrations of Greek National Day at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
And the celebrations included specific references to Lemnos' role in Anzac, the story of George Devine Treloar as well as the 75th anniversary of the Greece and Crete campaigns in 1941.
The feature of the celebrations is a march past official dignitaries by the many Greek Schools, Orthodox Church communities and the various community organisations - including those representing Crete, Epirus, Pontus, Kalamata, Achaia, Archadia, Papaflessia, Pantrifilia, Laconia, Cyprus and Pylos/Navarino - and many others.
Dignitaries included diplomatic representatives, representatives of the Federal Government and Opposition, representatives of the Victorian Government and Opposition (including Premier Daniel Andrews), Greek Orthodox Community and Church representatives, various local government representatives and many more.
It was great to be with so many groups committed to building awareness of the Hellenic link to Anzac across both World Wars and especially as we enter 2016 and the 75th anniversary of 1941.
The flags, colours and folkloric costumes were something to behold.

Photo Jim Claven 2016

The celebration took place in the shadow of the Shrine of Remembrance, honouring Australia's war dead and modeled on the Ancient Greek monument, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus. And the large stone memorial dedicated to those who served in the Second World war, including a dedication to the Greece and Crete campaigns.

Photo Jim Claven 2016

And the parade passed the Weary Dunlop statue memorial, created by the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial's Peter Corlett, OAM .It is often overlooked that Weary Dunlop served in the Greek campaign, being evacuated from Naflpio in the Peloponnese.
Many members of our Committee were present, including myself, Ange Kenos, Angelo Yannacaros, John Salpigtidis, Steve Kyritsis and many others.

The Hon Bill Shorten, Leader of the Opposition, addresses the crowd. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Amongst the addresses made by dignitaries, the Hon Bill Shorten, Leader of the Opposition, made specific reference to the role of Lemnos in the Gallipoli campaign, the nurses who served there and those who remain in its cemeteries.

Whittlesea Cr Mary Lalios (left) and Paul Sougleris (right), proudly wearing his 1941 Greek Day badge. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Paul Sougleris of the Pammessinian's and Greek Anzacs and myself discussed the origins of Greek Day celebrations in Australia and the various events planned to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the campaigns in 1941.

John Salpigtidis with Colonel John Wertheimer. Photo Jim Claven 2016

Along with Mr John Salpigtis, of the Pontiaki Estia and the George Devine Treloar Memorial Committee, I was able to discuss the proposed memorial to be erected in Ballarat with Shrine Trustee, Colonel John Wertheimer, AM RFD.
Below are images from the day.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee