Last Sunday was a significant day for the Greek Island of Lemnos as 105 years ago on the 8th October 1912 Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis aboard the Aegean Fleet Flagship 'Averof' liberated the island ending over 456 years of foreign rule. The Greek forces landed near Vourlidia in the bay of Mudros and travelled inland where the first flag of liberation was raised on the small bridge opposite the Church of Assumption of the Virgin Mary in the village of Tsimandria.
Which is the village where my father was born, my grandmother’s family are from and where many of my relatives still live. Lemnos has a rich and diverse history and there is a strong connection between Lemnos and Australia which dates back to the Gallipoli Campaign in the First World War in 1915.
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee has been working hard to promote the significant role that Lemnos has played and to ensure that it is better understood, recognised and not forgotten. That’s why we built the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, why we worked hard to have its location named Lemnos Square, why we have commissioned a book to educate people about the important history of Lemnos and its Anzac connection and so many other projects.
There are many reasons for Lemnians to be proud of their history and their achievements – and I am certainly proud of my Lemnian heritage and the outcomes that have and will continue to be achieved by the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee. I congratulate the Lemnian Community around the world on this important anniversary.
Lee Tarlamis
President
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
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