The proud march of the Hellenic Presidential Guard — the Evzones — into the Hellenic Club of Sydney was met with solemn silence on Thursday, May 1, as over 200 guests stood in reverence for the elite ceremonial unit. The silence was symbolic — a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made in war, and of the enduring friendship between Greece and Australia.
The luncheon honoured the contribution of Greek Australians to the ANZAC legacy, with a particular emphasis on the bonds forged between the two nations during both World Wars.
Master of Ceremonies Peter Raptis welcomed the crowd and paid tribute to the significance of the event.
“We are very fortunate today to not only have the Hellenic Presidential Guard with us, but also the following dignitaries,” he said, acknowledging key guests such as the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, His Excellency Antonis Sammoutis, and the Greek Consul General in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis.
“This special gathering is dedicated to celebrating the bravery, history and traditions upheld by the Evzones — the proud guardians of Greece’s heritage.”
Mr Raptis also announced the launch of the Hellenic Club Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and thanked Peter Andrews and George Thomas who were the founders of the original Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Vice President of the Hellenic Club of Sydney, Bill Kritharas, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the historical significance of the event and the venue.
“We’re honoured to have the Hellenic Presidential Guard with us this afternoon, and we’re delighted that this event has been hosted once again at the Hellenic Club,” Mr Kritharas said.
“With your presence here, you help unite and reunite our community… We are particularly proud as a community when you are here, and we can see the pride on the faces of the members of our Hellenic Australian community and the Greeks in the diaspora.”
Lieutenant Ioannis Kontogiannis of the Presidential Guard gave a stirring account of the Evzones’ legacy, their exacting training, and the symbolism behind their traditional uniform.
“When the Evzones go on duty, they walk on a specific path called ‘tsarochodromos,’ stamping their right foot down to let our ancestors hear that we’re still alive and free. They never abandon this path, no matter the obstacles in their way,” Lieutenant Kontogiannis said.
This was followed by a ceremonial gift exchange, with the Commander of the Presidential Guard Michalis Tzinieris presenting a commemorative plaque to the Hellenic Club. Mr Kritharas reciprocated with a gift to Commander Tzinieris on behalf of the community, marking the moment with a warm gesture of unity and shared pride.
Commodore John Stavridis of the Royal Australian Navy delivered the keynote address, reflecting on the enduring Hellenic-Australian friendship, dating back to the ANZACs’ landing at Lemnos in 1915 and again during the Battle of Crete in 1941.
“‘Here we bloody well are, and here we bloody well stay’ — that was the uniquely Australian version of ‘Molon Labe,’” he said to emotional applause, in reference to the courage of Australian troops who delayed advancing German forces in Greece.
His Excellency Mr Sammoutis offered a heartfelt reflection on the symbolic role of the Evzones in Greek national memory.
“As a six-year-old kid, I couldn’t understand why me and my parents and my brothers and my sister had to spend two days on a boat to sail from Cyprus to Greece,” he shared. “That was because my mum wanted to show us the two holiest places for the Greek people — the Acropolis and Syntagma, where the Presidential Guard stands.”
He also recounted how for decades the word “Cyprus” was absent from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, finally added only 30 years after his first visit.
“I went back to the very place, and I was standing for minutes reading ‘Cyprus, the Battle of Cyprus.’ This is the battle that’s still not over,” Mr Sammoutis said.
Consul General Mr Mallikourtis spoke candidly about his evolving understanding of Greek Australian identity.
“When I arrived, I was more romantic, then I started to be annoyed that no one spoke Greek… then I started to understand more or less what it means to be Greek Australian. It is primarily to be an Australian citizen of Greek descent, to be able to combine both worlds, to be proud of both countries,” the Consul General said.
Closing out the event was guest speaker Jennifer Gorry, who gave a personal tribute to her father’s involvement in the Greek campaign during the Second World War.
The luncheon served not only as a commemorative occasion but also as a moving celebration of unity, shared history, and national identity — a tribute to the Greek and Australian people’s shared values of liberty, democracy, and resilience, forged in war and honoured in peace.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.
