Strong Greek presence marks ANZAC Day commemorations in Sydney

By George Chiotis

Greek community organisations made a strong showing at this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations in Sydney, joining thousands across the city to honour servicemen and women who fought in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

Held annually on 25 April, ANZAC Day is the national day of remembrance for Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary of the Allied landing at Gallipoli during the First World War.

This year’s commemorations marked 111 years since the historic Gallipoli campaign, in which members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) fought alongside Allied forces.

The Greek Returned Servicemen’s League (Greek RSL) of New South Wales once again participated in the annual Sydney parade, joined by representatives from several Greek Australian organisations.

Among those marching were young members of the Cretan Federation dressed in traditional black attire, alongside members of the GAS, OEEGA (Organisation of Greek and Greek Cypriot Women of Australia), and AHEPA Australia.

Thousands lined the streets of central Sydney to pay tribute to fallen servicemen and women, with the Greek contingent receiving warm applause from spectators throughout the procession.

Leading the Greek delegation were Association president Peter Tsigounis, Emanuel Comino OAM carrying the GREECE/HELLAS banner, flag bearers George Karountzos and George Chiotis, and brothers Paul and George Koutelas carrying the Association’s standard.

Participants described the event as one of the strongest ANZAC Day appearances by the Association in recent years.

Following the parade, members gathered at the Unknown Soldier Memorial in Hyde Park, where a joint photograph with Serbian participants led to discussions about closer cooperation between the two organisations.

The Greek delegation later attended a luncheon hosted by the GAS at Alpha restaurant in Sydney, held in honour of the Association. The NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, was represented at the parade by Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism, Mark Buttigieg.