On Thursday, July 24, members of the Cypriot community in Canberra took part in the Australian War Memorial’s daily Last Post Ceremony to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
While the Last Post Ceremony is held every day to honour the sacrifice of Australians who have served in war, this particular occasion saw the Cypriot Australian community participate in a special act of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the 1974 invasion and for the thousands who remain missing to this day.
In an atmosphere filled with emotion and solemn reflection, wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen.
Representing the Republic of Cyprus, Andreas Gregoriou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and Head of the Presidency’s Administration, laid a wreath on behalf of the President of the Republic. He was joined by His Excellency Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia.
Eleni Psichopeda, representing Ambassador of Greece to Australia His Excellency Stavros Venizelos, laid a wreath on behalf of the Embassy of Greece. Reverend Archimandrite Kosmas Damianides participated on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Also laying wreaths were Lloyd Brodrick, Assistant Secretary of the Eastern and South-Eastern Europe Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Nectaria Volis, President of the Cypriot Community of Canberra and ACT, M. Mechanicos, Head of SEKA ACT, John Loukadellis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, and Steve Kartsonas, President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra.
The participation of the Cypriot community in this national ceremony served as a powerful tribute to the enduring grief and resilience of the Cypriot people. It was a reminder that, even half a century on, the pain of the invasion remains deeply felt, and the hope for justice and reunification continues.
