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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

Thursday 24 December 2015

Anzac Gallipoli Centenary Commemorative Event - The Anzac Evacuation of Gallipoli

Lambis Englezos, Christina Despoteris and Jim Claven at the Shrine. Photo Jim Claven 2015

On Sunday 20th December a moving commemorative event was held at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.
The occasion was held to commemorate the end of the Gallipoli campaign, marking the day one hundred years ago that Anzac troops evacuated the Gallipoli peninsula. Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay were evacuated by 20th December 1915. The last Allied troops to leave the peninsula evacuated from Cape Helles on 9th January 1916.
The ceremony is an annual one organised by the Friends of Gallipoli Inc., led by Dr John Basarin, OAM.
The ceremony began with a short commemorative service at the new Gallipoli memorial  that has been erected near the Shrine, followed by a formal wreath laying within the Shrine itself.
Photo Jim Claven 2015
Photo Jim Claven 2015

Many were in attendance, including diplomatic representatives, members of parliament and many descendants of Anzac's who served at Gallipoli - including the daughter of Alec Campbell the last WW1 Anzac to pass away.
Alec's daughter spoke movingly of her father, of how he was born in Tasmania, suffered the diseases of the peninsula, was eventually invalided to Egypt and then Australia. Alec became a fervent opponent of war and marched in the anti-conscription marches held during WW1.
Photo Jim Claven 2015

Photo Jim Claven 2015
Nick McCallum of Channel 7 interviews Alec Campbell's daughter. Photo Jim Claven 2015

The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee was represented at this event and was invited to lay a wreath at the service at the Shrine. Ms Christina Despoteris, Vice President of the Committee, assisted by myself, layed our wreath. Other members of the Committee attended the event, including our Patron Lambis Englezos.
The Friends of Gallipoli Inc. (FOGI) have been supporters of our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial project. For more information about the FOGI click here.
The new Gallipoli memorial near the Shrine. Photo Jim Claven 2015

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

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