New Publication from Benaki (Athens) on Patrick Leigh Fermor

Patrick Leigh Fermor - known as Paddy - was a great travel writer, WW2 war veteran (Greece and Crete campaigns) and lover of all things Hellenic. A new publication from Athen's Benaki Museum is a must for all fans of Paddy.

From time to time, the Benaki Museum publishes a supplement to its regular journal, and the 9th Supplement is a masterpiece dedicated to Patrick Leigh Fermor's (known universally as Paddy) life. 

Well bound, and coffee table book sized, there are over twenty new articles exploring a range of topics including Paddy’s intimates and friends, his walks, the Cretan resistance, wider discussions of Greece, Paddy’s writing and of course the house.
The Benaki have assembled a remarkable collection of writers including Hamish Robertson, Cressida Connolly, the Marques de Tamaron, Nick Hunt, John Kitmer, Chris White, Colin Thubron, John Julius Norwich, Adam Sisman, and Roberto Calasso amongst others.
The supplement is available from the Benaki Museum shop for 18 Euros plus worldwide DHL shipping.

Thanks to the PLF Society for the information.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Homer's Odyssey Live at Melbourne's Queen Victoria Gardens (St Kilda Rd)

Members and supporters may be interested in the coming live performance of Homer's Odyssey in Melbourne. As we know, the stories of Homer and other Classical authors featured in the diaries and letters of the Anzac's who came to Lemnos in 1915. The story of the siege of Troy and Odyssey were well known to many Anzacs and other Allied soldiers. Details of the performance are below. Thanks to Melbourne's Ithacan Philanthropic Society for sharing.
The Odyssey - An adventure marathon: Homer’s epic told in full over 12 hours
Translated by Emily Wilson
Location: MPavilion
Date: Saturday 1 December 2018
Time: 11am – 11pm
Admission is FREE
The Stork Theatre presents a homeric marathon: The Odyssey told in full over 12 hours by 30 different performers. Homer’s classic adventure story told from beginning to end for the first time ever in Australia – A must see. Join us for your favourite chapter, stay for the whole 12 hour marathon or come and go as you please. This event is ideal for families, students and anyone who loves adventure.
Bring a picnic basket and join us at Melbourne’s iconic MPavilion, in the Queen Victoria Gardens, opposite the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road for this adventure marathon. Admission is FREE and seating in the pavilion itself is limited but there are plenty of ideal picnic spots on the grass.
Girls to the Front
Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey is the first English translation by a woman. Wilson brings a fresh and unique perspective to this epic tale, foregrounding the many powerful and important women whom we meet along the way. The goddess, the Sorceress, the Queen and the wife will be brought to life by the prodigious talents of Sigrid Thornton, Natasha Herbert, Kate Kendall and many more.
Magda Szubanski, Australia’s most loved comedian and performer, will open the event by reading Chapter one at 11am in the first session.
For more information on the actors performing and session times, visit http://www.storktheatre.com.au/whats-on/

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

Armistice Events on Lemnos and more - Message from our Vice-President Ms Christina Despoteris

Lemnos took centre stage, as the events celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the end on the First World War and the signing of the Armistice of Moudros were held on this beautiful island in the Aegean.
The events covered the historical significance of the day - various speakers elaborated on the events leading up to the signing of the Armistice and there were exhibitions depicting various aspects of the period; they celebrated the achievements of today - with a parade and the "Run for Peace"; and also looked to the future with the launch of two sister school relationships between schools in Melbourne and Lemnos.
Representing the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee as well as the Lemnos Community of Victoria, I was very proud, as a Greek of Lemnian Heritage to participate in the wreath laying ceremonies at both Portianou and East Moudros Military Cemeteries, deliver the keynote address prepared by Historian Jim Claven, and accompany the other two groups from Melbourne to the various events.
The two groups from Melbourne represented at the events on Lemnos were the 2018 Armistice Tour Recipients (Alumni of the Premier's Spirit of Anzac) accompanied by Major General David McLachlan (Rtd) and Rowena Vagg Manager of the Veterans Branch of the Department of Premier and Cabinet; and the 30 Army Cadet Unit from Sunshine ably led by Captain John Luca and assisted by John Stewart. Also in attendance was Major Terry Kanellos (Rtd) representing the Hellenic Sub-Branch of the RSL Victoria.
Although there were many Diplomatic and Defence Force representatives from countries such as England, New Zealand, Canada, France and Germany to name a few, Australia was not only represented by Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to Greece Kate Logan, but the 25 member delegation from Melbourne which not only attended but participated in the events by laying wreaths, singing the Australian Anthem, marching in the parade and in the case of the 30 Army Cadet Unit, forming the catafalque party at the Lemnos/Anzac Memorial at Moudros Bay. These young men and women were great ambassadors for Australia. Congratulations to all.
Looking forward to the future, I was delighted to introduce the Albert Park College, which is adjacent to the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial at Lemnos Square, to the Moudros Senior High School and the Dandenong Greek Community School to the Moudros Junior High School to form sister school relationships. Both these relationships were officially launched at the events last weekend.
The Moudros Senior High School organised a school assembly, (also present were the Sub-Prefect of Lemnos Evangelos Giarmadouros, representatives of the local council, the clergy and parents), at which students welcomed guests and spoke about the importance of the sister school relationship. There was singing and dancing and of course the official launch which was in the form of a skype session between the Principal of the Albert Park College Steve Cook and the Principal of the Moudros Senior High School Stellios Karayiannis.
A similar event was arranged at the Moudros Junior High School at which the Principal Maria Papapanayiotou and the Principal of the Dandenong Greek Community School Niki Farfara-Pashou and the President of the Community Steve Karamoschos participated in the skype session officially launching the relationship. Students from both schools had prepared speeches and questions. There was also plenty of singing of popular Greek songs and the waving of both Greek and Australian flags.
Lemnos and Australia have a very strong bond with thousands of Lemnians leaving Greece and settling in Australia many years ago. There is also the Anzac connection to Lemnos. Today we look forward to the future through these initiatives with the schools.
Again, I would like to re-iterate how honoured and proud I was to be present at such an historical occasion and look forward to my continued association with all things Lemnian.
It would be remiss of me not to thank the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and the Lemnos Community of Victoria for letting me represent them and of course, Jim Claven Historian and Secretary of our Committee for his amazing and detailed documentation of the events leading up to the Armistice of Moudros.
See some of my photos of the above events below.

Christina Despoteris
Vice President
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee; and
Executive Member
Sister Cities Australia

Ms Despoteris with the Sub-Prefect of Lemnos Evangelos Giarmadouros (right)

Above with the two Principals Stellios Karayiannis Moudros Senior High School and Maria Papapanayiotou Moudros Junior High School.

 

Above the Australian delegation.

 

Ms Despoteris with Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to Greece Kate Logan at East Mudros Military Cemetery

 

Ms Despoteris with Her Excellency the Australian Ambassador to Greece Kate Logan at Australian Embassy Athens

Armistice Commemorations in NZ - Courtesy of NZWW100

ARMISTICE CENTENARY NATIONAL CEREMONY

IMAGE: Dancers performing 'He Wawā Waraki: Roaring Chorus 2018'

After days of wind and rain, the official Armistice centenary events on Sunday 11 November 2018 took place under clear blue skies and brilliant sun at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

The National Ceremony held in the morning was attended by a crowd of thousands including the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, their joint attendance an acknowledgement of the significance of the centenary for New Zealand.

The ceremony began with a 100-Gun Salute fired from the Wellington waterfront and culminated in the specially commissioned creative piece He Wawā Waraki: Roaring Chorus 2018, which was directed by acclaimed choreographer Malia Johnston and featured an original score by composer Eden Mulholland. An interview with Malia Johnston about the inspiration for He Wawā Waraki: Roaring Chorus 2018 can be viewed here.

The Armistice Beacon stood alongside the park's memorials, broadcasting messages of peace, hope and remembrance into Pukeahu from people all around the world.

In the evening the New Zealand Defence Force led the Sunset Ceremony, which incorporated the final daily Last Post Ceremony, ending the commemorative events programme for the First World War Centenary.

The day's events paid homage to the immense loss endured by so many throughout the First World War, while also recapturing the celebration of peace and hope that swept many parts of New Zealand at the war's end 100 years ago.

Both the Armistice Centenary National Ceremony and the Sunset Ceremony can be viewed online on the WW100 YouTube channel and photos can be found on the WW100 website and the WW100 Facebook page. 

This Stuff report presents a short video about the Armistice Centenary National Ceremony and also looks at Armistice commemorations in Christchurch, Auckland, Waikato and Nelson.

ARMISTICE COMMEMORATIONS AROUND AOTEAROA

IMAGE: The unveiling of Papamoa's new war memorial on Sunday 11 November 2018. Image supplied by Michael O'Carroll

The morning of Sunday 11 November 2018 saw communities mark the Armistice centenary across New Zealand. Following the two-minute silence of remembrance at 11am, many joined the Roaring Chorus which echoed the relief and noisy celebration that rang out across the country 100 years ago when news of the Armistice reached our shores.

This video montage of footage and images from Fire and Emergency New Zealand shows stations, brigades and fire forces taking part in the Roaring Chorus.

The media coverage below is just a sample of the many stories published online about the Armistice centenary. They provide an insight into commemorative activities across New Zealand and the experiences of those who lived to see the end of the First World War. 

Newshub: Armistice Day commemorated around New Zealand

Stuff: For the fallen: Christchurch falls silent to thank sacrifices of World War I

Otago Daily Times: Armistice Day observed in the smaller townships across the region

Stuff: Love letters, peace babies and dancing in the streets - how Kiwis spent Armistice Day

IMAGES TOP TO BOTTOM: Station Services Manager Maddy Bellcroft delivers a speech during Armistice commemorations at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Image provided by Megan Martin.

At 11.02am the TSS Earnslaw sounded its horn on Lake Wakatipu and pianist Eleanor Muir led passengers in the national anthem and old war songs. Image provided by Tsehai Tiffen.

For the Armistice commemoration organised by Lakes District Council in Rotorua's Government Gardens, the Rotorua Multicultural Council contributed a Parade of Nations. Image provided by Margriet Theron.

FINDING OUR WAY BACK

IMAGE: Opened in 1922, this concrete bridge at Kaiparoro in the northern Wairarapa is one of the country's three First World War memorial bridges. Image courtesy of Jock Phillips and Chris Maclean.

New Zealand soldiers were not able to return home immediately following the Armistice of 1918, due to a shortage of ships, and the need for personnel for the occupation of Germany. For many, the return took over ten months, well into 1919.

WW100, New Zealand's First World War commemoration programme, will continue into mid-2019 as we explore the journey back for service men and women and the return to a peacetime society.

The WW100 website and social media pages will continue to be regularly updated and any activities or events related to the centenary of the First World War can still be added to our website

Lemnos' Role Honoured at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital's New Murals

On 13th November 2018 Austin Health unveiled a collection of three 5m x 1.2m mosaics in honour of our World War (WW) I and II veterans. The artworks particularly recognise Indigenous soldiers from the Gunditjmara tribe as well as Australian nurses Grace Wilson (WWI) and Lemnos, Vivian Bullwinkel (WWII) who served during the wars. The artworks will add to the significant collection of war artefacts and heritage works on display at Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital.

I was honoured to participate in the unveiling of the first mosaic of Grace Wilson and Lemnos on behalf of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee along with family members of Grace Wilson and Melbourne Legacy Community Services Manager Ken Tsirigotis.

 

 It’s wonderful to see the nurses taking pride of place at the entrance and for the role of indigenous soldiers to be acknowledged. It was also a fantastic turnout including by a large number of children from local schools as well as Arlene Bennett from our Committee and the Nurses Memorial Centre, the State Member for Ivanhoe Anthony Carbines MP and Labor Candidate for Jaga Jaga Kate Thwaites.
Congratulations to all those involved in making this permanent tribute a reality including Austin Health - Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital and the artist.
Other photos from the unveiling are reproduced below:

 

 

 

Lee Tarlamis
President
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

New Olive Tree for Lemnos Square

Photo Sandra Khazam October 2018

Great news from Albert Park's Lemnos Square.
A key part of our commemorative installation at Lemnos Square in Albert Park was the olive tree. This combined with our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial, flag poles and information boards to complete our commemoration of the Hellenic link to Australia's - and Port Phillip's - Gallipoli story.

Photo Jim Claven  2017

Some of our members and supporters may have noticed recently that our lovely olive tree at Lemnos Square had sustained serious damage. We don't know what happened but it would appear that someone unknown had damaged the tree and "severely pruned" it - for want of a better word.

Photo Jim Claven August 2018

Our Committee alerted Port Phillip Council to the damage and the great news is that they have replaced the Olive Tree. The tree is now protected too.
A big thank you to all at Port Phillip Council, including Sandra Khazam, for their excellent and timely work in restoring this important component of Lemnos Square.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee

First World War Aussie Banter - C.J. Dennis' Digger Smith Glossary

I was reading C.J. Dennis' famous book "Digger Smith" published by Angus and Robertson in 1918 and noticed that it includes a glossary of common terms that "the Digger" uses. They contain many phrases commonly used at the time and are reproduced below. One of my favourites is the word "cove" meaning a bloke.

Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee