The achievements of a great Australian with even greater service to Hellenism were remembered on Monday, July 21 at a presentation of the new book, Genocide to Regeneration: the photographs of George Devine Treloar by Unity in Philia Press.
As noted by the Keynote Speaker, lawyer and community activist George Vardas, the collection represents a unique photographic record of the refugee experience of that time.
Speaking as the publisher of Genocide to Regeneration, Dr Vasilis Adrahtas noted that his not-for-profit organisation was proud to have this as its first major book as the Treloar story was one that showcased a relatively unknown aspect of Australian Hellenic heritage.
“It is amazing that a man of his military experiences took a large number of photographs with the human being at their centre. Above all, Treloar was a humanist,” Dr Adrahtas said.
Written by Professor David Treloar and Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, the book presents – for the first time – the photographs of the League of Nations’ Commissioner for Refugees in northern Hellas between 1922 and 1926.
During an engaging open discussion with Mr Vardas and Dr Adrahtas in which the audience was an active participant, Genocide to Regeneration co-author Dr Diamadis spoke candidly about the difficulties in researching this story which covers more than a century.
Responding to various questions, Dr Diamadis outlined the political, logistical, financial and emotional difficulties involved.
“A key concern of the photographer George Treloar and his son David – my co-author – has always been maintaining the dignity of the men, women and children in his photographs,” Dr Diamadis commented.
“It has been my honour and privilege to develop this project alongside the Treloar family over a number of years.”
For more information regarding Genocide to Regeneration, contact Unity in Philia on info@unityinphilia.gr
