Cypriot courage was powerfully remembered at the 2025 ANZAC Day march in Sydney, with 104-year-old veteran Evripidis Mouxouris once again stepping forward to honour his compatriots and lead the Cypriot community in commemorating the fallen.
Born in Morphou, Nicosia in 1921, Mr Mouxouris’ enduring passion for the freedom of his ancestral homeland remains as strong today as it was during the Second World War.
In 1943, he enlisted alongside 800 members of the then-Progressive Party of Working People, volunteering to join the newly formed Cyprus Regiment.
Throughout the war, Mr Mouxouris served in Palestine, Egypt, and Italy, seeing action on the frontlines at Ancona and later helping to transport supplies across the Adriatic Sea.
After the 1974 coup and subsequent invasion of Cyprus, he migrated to Australia in 1976, carrying with him the pain of displacement but also an unwavering spirit.
Speaking ahead of the march, Mr Mouxouris had urged younger generations to continue the struggle for Cyprus’ freedom. Reflecting on his experiences, he expressed frustration with the inhumanity of war, noting the senselessness of conflict and loss.
Despite the hardships he endured, he remains a proud Australian-Cypriot, humbly committed to keeping alive the memory of his fallen comrades and reminding all of the sacrifice that freedom demands.
His participation in this year’s ANZAC Day march stood as a poignant tribute to the enduring ties between Cyprus and Australia and the shared sacrifices made in the name of liberty.
