Recently the co-chair of the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Greece, Mr Steve Dimopoulos MP for Oakleigh, made the following Statement in recognition of the recent planting of an olive tree and unveiling of a memorial plaque in the grounds of the Victorian Parliament.
This new memorial space honours the Anzac connection to Greece and the connections between Greece and Australia through the waves of post war migration.
Below is the text of his statement.
"Mr DIMOPOULOS — I was proud to take part in the ceremony to plant an olive tree in the gardens surrounding Parliament House. This tree recognises the enduring friendship between the Australian and Hellenic people both during war and peacetime. I would like to make special mention of the Parliamentary Friends of Greece, the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council, in particular Tony Tsourdalakis and Larry Irwin, and the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, in particular Jim Claven and a former member of the other place, Lee Tarlamis. I would also like to thank Lieutenant General Konstantinos Floros, deputy chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Christina Simantiraki, and the many other dignitaries for assisting and taking part in the ceremony. May this olive tree be a lasting memorial to the peaceful and long-term friendship between Australia and Greece and their peoples."
If you would like to download a copy of Mr Dimopoulos' Statement (on page 1851 of the Hansard document), please click here.
The Committee thanks Mr Dimopoulos for his Statement and support for this important act of commemoration.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee
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