The Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the official launch of a new commemorative coin series in Canberra to mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign of 1941.
Issued by the Royal Australian Mint, the coin series honours the Greek Campaign and the Battle of Crete fought during April and May 1941, paying tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the ANZACs and the people of Crete during the Second World War.
The event was attended by the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; a delegation from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff led by Konstantinos Bouzos; Defence Attaché Kyriakos Kyriakakos; as well as representatives from the Royal Australian Mint, the Australian War Memorial, the Greek diaspora and media.
The launch formed part of national commemorative events marking the 85th anniversary of the historic battle.
A wreath-laying ceremony followed at the Australian War Memorial, while the Greek military delegation was later officially received at the Embassy of Greece in Australia in Canberra.
