Help us promote Lemnos' link to Anzac - Make a donation now

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, 25 April 2016

Oakleigh Grammar Presentation - Remembering the Battle of Greece and Crete 1941

Photo Jim Claven 2016
Today I gave a historical presentation on the battle of Greece and Crete in 1941 to the students of Oakleigh Grammar.Over 50 students from the Year 10 and Year 11 classes and teachers attended the presentation. I explained the story of the Greek and Crete campaigns through the story of the battle of Vevi and through recounting the experiences of a number of individual Anzac's. I also emphasized the great support the Anzac's received from the ordinary Greek people - as they arrived, as they departed and when they were on the run from the Germans - often at great personal cost.
Photo Jim Claven 2016
I also explained the long history of the Hellenic connection to Anzac stretching back to Lemnos in 1915.
I explained the moves to locate gunner James Zampelis body on Crete and to erect a permanent memorial to him and those Australians who died in Greece and Crete in Oakleigh.
Along with Tony Tsourdalakis of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council, I launched a battle of Crete photographic display. I pointed our that the display includes never before seen photos - including those taken by Private Syd Grant during the Greek campaign. The display will be hosted by the school for a number of weeks, before going on to be displayed at another school.
Photo Jim Claven 2016
Tony and myself encouraged the students to get involved in the Council and come to its program of commemorative events. We also invited the teachers and students to visit the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park and the Hellenic Memorial near the Shrine.
One of the teachers at the school told me that her family was from Kleide - the site of the battle of Vevi in April 1941.
Thanks to Mr Mark Robertson (Principal) and Ms Anastasia Spanos (LOTE Teacher) for the invitation to make this presentation.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
& Member, Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign Commemorative Council

Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)