Our Fundraiser - A Great Success

Major Terry Kanellos, master of ceremonies, addresses the Gala Dinner

Well last Saturday, the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch and Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee held its Gala Dinner.
It was held in the historic St Kilda Town Hall.
Over 300 guests attended, including dignitaries and many members of Melbourne's Greek community - including many with links to Lemnos.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Major Terry Kanellos - Secretary of the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch and member of our Committee. Terry did an amazing job in preparing for the evening and keeping the event to time.

Our Sculptor Peter Corlett's model or maquette of our future memorial statue to Lemnos' Anzac link

Mr Lee Tarlamis, our President, opened proceedings. Lee explained the work of our Committee in building awareness of Lemnos' Anzac link both in Australia and in Greece. He outlined our various projects - and especially our main project - the erection of a new commemorative Memorial statue at Albert Park's Foote Street square.He pointed out our fundraising success to date, the various ways that people could contribute to our project and urged all to spread the word and to help us raise the need funds to make this a reality.
Lee also launched our new Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Poster - a very nice addition to any office or home - which is on sale as a fundraiser for only $10.

Captain Albert Jacka, VC, Mayor of St Kilda. AWM

Cr Amanda Stevens, Mayor of Port Phillip, welcomed guests to the historic St Kilda Town Hall and reminded the audience of the connection of the biulding with Lemnos' Anzac tradition.This hall is quirte famous and has strong connections to Lemnos' Anzac links. It was where Captain Albert Jacka in the 1920's presided as Mayor of St Kilda - Australia's first VC winner who spent time recuperating on Lemnos in 1915. And it was where in the 1930's Matron Grace Wilson - formerly of the 3rd Australian General Hospital on Lemnos - attended a commemorative dinner on behalf of the nurses who served in WW1.

Letter inviting Matron Nurse Wilson to the St Kilda Commemorative Dinner in 1934

Mr Murray Thompson MLA addresses the guests.

We were glad to receive presentations from Mr Murray Thompson MLA and Ms Jenny Mikakos MLC on behalf of the Victorian Government and Opposition. Mr Thompson announced that - following the success of the first Anzac Students tour of Lemnos - the Victorian Government had decided that Lemnos would be part of the Centenary Year Premiers Anzac Student Prize winners tour. Thank you Murray.
Ms Mikakos recounted her participation in last years inaugural Anzac Conference on Lemnos and the important of the Lemnos Anzac story as part of the enduring link between Australians and Greeks.
We also received a very warm letter of support from the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbott MP.

Letter of support from the Hon Tony Abbott, Prime Minister

Bianca Gerrard addresses the Gala Dinner

We were particularly delighted to here the addresses of two of the young students - winners of the Victorian Premiers Spirit of Anzac Student Prize - who had toured Lemnos as part of their visit to Gallipoli and the Western Front.
 Everyone was moved by the speeches delivered by Bianca Gerrard and Michael Manoussakis. They spoke of the warm reception they received from the Lemnians on their visit and how they were moved by the Anzac connections on the Island. Their speeches were well received.
Well done Michael and Bianca.

Michael Manoussakis addresses the dinner.

The event included auctions and raffles - presided over by our master of ceremonies, Major Terry Kanelos. Bidding was vigorous and thank you to all who helped raise our funds. We also sold many of our commemorative badges and new Memorial Posters.
While we have not yet totalled up the fundraising proceeds from the night, we are sure that they have made a substantial contribution to making our memorial statue a reality.

I address the dinner on Lemnos' link to Anzac

And I made a presentation explaining some of the key features of the Lemnos link to Anzac, its connections to Port Phillip, all accompanied by a photographic display of images from 1915 and of Lemnos today.
Any Greek night would not be complete without some Greek dancing!

An event such as this requires a lot of helpers and volunteers.
Thanks to all who assisted us with this great fundraising event. In particular the Committee would like to thank Terry Kanellos, Steve Kyritsis, Lee Tarlamis, Malama Varvara, Nick Kydas, Christina Despoteris and Annie Tsourlinis.
And thanks to the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch and the Lemnian Community of Victoria for its support of our event.
Keep posted for our next fundraiser in coming months.
And thank you to all who came along and supported our night.

Jim Claven
Secretary 
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee