The Battle of Crete & Greece Commemorative Council of Victoria actively participated in this year’s ANZAC Day events organised by various organisations and committees, honouring the memory of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fell during the First World War.
The commemorations were held with respect and emotion, reflecting the deep bonds that have developed between the Greek and Australian peoples.
ANZAC Day is recognised as a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to all those who served and lost their lives in wartime conflicts, with particular reference to the First World War and the Gallipoli campaign. In Lemnos, where Australian soldiers who participated in the campaign are buried, remembrance ceremonies carry special significance, highlighting Greece’s enduring role as a bridge between the two nations.
For another year, members of the Council maintained a strong presence across numerous commemorative events, reflecting the longstanding cooperation developed with Australian veterans’ organisations.
The events began on Sunday, April 19, with the Council’s participation in a ceremony organised by the Ringwood RSL branch. The occasion included a parade along Maroondah Highway, where hundreds of representatives from organisations and descendants of veterans marched to the Memorial Clock Tower for a wreath-laying service.
During the event, special mention was made of the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete by Colonel David Keith Jamison, who spoke about the sacrifices made by soldiers and highlighted the important contribution of the Greek people in supporting Australian troops. He concluded by noting that this shared history serves as a powerful example for younger generations, demonstrating the value of unity and cooperation.
Later that day, Council President Natasha Spanos participated in a wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Australian Nurses Memorial Centre, emphasising the importance of remembrance and recognition of the contribution made by women during wartime.
On Friday, April 24, a memorial ceremony was held at the Austin Repatriation Hospital. The Council was represented by Tony Tsourdalakis, who laid a wreath at the commemorative plaque in the hospital garden dedicated to Australian soldiers who fought in the Battle of Crete. The event was coordinated by Austin Veterans Hospital chief executive Robert Winther, who has maintained close cooperation with the Council since its establishment.
On April 25, ANZAC Day itself, members of the Council attended dawn services across various Melbourne suburbs to honour fallen soldiers. Ms Spanos and Secretary Anna Psarakis laid wreaths at the Oakleigh and Clayton RSL branches respectively.
Mr Tsourdalakis, President of the Intercommunities and Parishes Council of Victoria, attended the ceremony at the Epping RSL branch.
Vice-President Miltiadis Stamatakos and Assistant Treasurer Dimitris Papadimitriou of the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne attended services at the Darebin and Boronia RSL branches. Secretary Mary Rissakis and Assistant Secretary Maria Manios of the Pancretan Association of Melbourne took part in commemorations at the Ringwood and Camberwell RSL branches.
Peter Andrinopoulos, Secretary of the Australian-Hellenic Memorial, attended the Doncaster RSL branch, while the Vice-President of the Lemnian Community of Melbourne represented the Council at the Dandenong RSL service.
Presidents Christos Kominatos of the Lefkadian Brotherhood and Evangelos Plokamakis of the Kefalonian Association “O Kefalos” attended ceremonies at the Coburg and Glen Waverley RSL branches respectively, while Peter Ford participated in the Caulfield RSL service.
Greek Veterans Vice-President Kostas Antoniadis also represented the Council by laying a wreath in the Shepparton region.
Notably, many RSL branches made special reference to the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, highlighting the contribution of Greeks and the cooperation between the two peoples during the Second World War.
A highlight of the commemorations was participation in Melbourne’s major ANZAC Day parade. Ms Spanos represented the Council in the official march alongside a six-member student group from Oakleigh Grammar. The group marched beside the 2/2 Field Regiment Association, with whom the Council maintains close ties.
On the same day, a separate ceremony was held at the cenotaph in Keilor, organised by the Keilor Historical Society. Mr Tsourdalakis represented the Council at the event.
The commemorations concluded on Sunday, April 26, with a ceremony organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia at the Australian-Hellenic Memorial of the Northern Suburbs in Thomastown.
A doxology service officiated by His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora was followed by wreath-laying, creating a moving tribute to Greek and Australian soldiers who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
The Council said its participation in ANZAC Day ceremonies extended beyond symbolic presence, serving as a meaningful reminder of shared history and the ongoing responsibility to preserve peace and international cooperation.
In her ANZAC Day message, Ms Spanos said: “These events constitute an important bond in preserving historical memory and friendship between Greece and Australia, a relationship born through the trials of war and kept alive through time, continually inspiring younger generations.”
“We must always remember that the inherited values which define a people are not gained without sacrifice and struggle. Let us be inspired by the example of the heroes who sacrificed themselves for humanity and protect with respect and pride our two homelands, Greece and Australia.
“Finally, let us not forget that in today’s era, when conflict and war dominate, we have an even greater responsibility to stand firmly in support of justice, peace and respect for international law. Eternal be the memory of all those who sacrificed themselves for the ideals of freedom and peace.”
