Greece’s Presidential Guard concluded their inaugural visit to Perth in Western Australia with the official commemoration of OXI Day on Sunday, November 6.
The commemorative events started with a Doxology at the Greek Orthodox Church of Evangelismos in West Perth officiated by His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Kyanea, with the participation of the Evzones.
The Presidential Guard then took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the State War Memorial at Kings Park, in the presence of Perth’s local Greek community and a number of Australian dignitaries. This included the WA Premier, Mark McGowan; the Consul of Greece in Perth, Georgia Karasiotou; Member for Armadale, Dr Tony Buti MLA; Member for the North Metropolitan Region, Dan Caddy MLC; Mayor of the City of Perth, Basil Zempilas; and the State President of RSLWA, Duncan Anderson.
Arthur Leggett, the last remaining veteran of the Battle of Crete, also recited the Ode of Remembrance on the day.
The Ceremony closed with the unveiling by the WA Premier and Mr Leggett of a plaque, which will be embedded in the future Battle of Crete Memorial, once erected at Kings Park.
At the end of the ceremony, the Evzones performed their traditional Change of Guard, with two of them remaining to guard the Cenotaph for a further hour.
In a post on Facebook, the Consulate of Greece in Perth wrote: “It was a historic day to remember!”
“The unique sight of the Evzones parading, mounting and paying tribute to the State War Memorial, filled everyone with pride and emotion and reaffirmed the close and long-lasting friendship between Greece and Australia, forged in the battlefield during WWII,” the Facebook post continued.
The Evzones’ first ever trip to WA was filled with a number of activities and events commemorating OXI Day throughout the week.
On Friday, the Presidential Guard met with the WA Premier for a special morning tea in their honour, before marching down St Georges Terrace for the first time and taking part in a flag raising ceremony outside Council House.
The Evzones also visited Adelaide in South Australia this year and were warmly welcomed by local Greek organisations and schools.
READ MORE: Memorial to mark Greek Revolution bicentenary unveiled in SA in presence of Evzones.
