Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc: Lemnos and Greece Centenary of Anzac 2015

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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

Monday, 4 May 2015

Lemnos and Greece Centenary of Anzac 2015 - Congratulations!

As the President of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Centenary of Anzac Commemorations in Lemnos and Greece. Including those who have traveled all the way from Australia to be part of the events including many members of our committee, Bronwyn Halfpenny MP and Richard Dalla-Riva MP and so many more.

This years commemorations on Lemnos were the most successful yet and exceptionally moving and being part of them was extremely humbling.

From the unveiling of the new nurses memorial at the Portianou Commonwealth War Cemetery on Lemnos, the ceremony at East Mudros Commonwealth War Cemetery followed by the parade through Mudros, the ceremony at Mudros Harbour, the re-enactment of the historical soccer match that occurred in 1915 and the visit and participation in all the events by the HMAS Success, the first visit on an Australian Naval vessel since 1915. Witnessing the sailors from HMAS Success travelling across the island and interacting with local Lemnians, as they did 100 years ago, was very moving.

Another sprcial moment was meeting descendants of Matron Grace Wilson's Family who were on Lemnos for the commemorations.

Also moving was the Anzac Day Dawn Service on board the HMAS Success in the Port of Piraeus in Athens, followed by the commemoration ceremony at Phaleron Commonwealth War Cemetery and concluding with our Photographic Exhibition and Presentation on Commemorating Gallipoli's Hellenic Heart - Lemnos and the Anzac's 1915 at the Athens War Museum.

I would like to thank the Australian Ambassador and his team at the Australian Embassy in Greece for their work in organising these commemorations, the Athens War Museum, the Hellenic Military and Navy, Liz Kaydos and Lemnos1915, The Lemnos ' Friends of Anzac, the authorities on Lemnos, the Lemnian Community of Victoria, the HMAS Success and members of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, specifically Christina Despoteris for all her efforts, hard work and passion in organising events on Lemnos and in Greece and Jim Claven for all his amazing research and his passion and commitment to ensure that critical par

ts of history are not forgotten.

There are many that I have not mentioned but I congratulate you all and look forward to working with you in the future to continue to build on what has been achieved this year.

Below are some images featuring some of the highlights of the centenary commemorations on Lemnos and in Greece. Well done.