Evzones honoured at Hellenic Club of Sydney luncheon celebrating ANZAC legacy

·

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.

The attendees enjoyed the luncheon. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos.

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.”

evzones hellenic club of sydney
Master of Ceremonies Peter Raptis.

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.”

evzones hellenic club sydney
Vice President of the Hellenic Club of Sydney, Bill Kritharas.

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.

Lieutenant Ioannis Kontogiannis of the Presidential Guard gave a stirring account of the Evzones’ legacy and their traditional uniforms.
evzones hellenic club sydney

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.

evzones hellenic club sydney

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.

evzones hellenic club sydney
Commodore John Stavridis of the Royal Australian Navy.

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.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Heritage NSW puts Paragon Café owner on notice to restore historic site

The owner of the iconic Paragon Café in Katoomba, Sydney solicitor John Landerer, has been formally put on notice by Heritage NSW.

Andriana Petrakis to represent Australia at 2025 Virtus World Tennis Championships

Greek Australian tennis player Andriana Petrakis will represent Australia at the 2025 Virtus World Tennis Championships in Kazakhstan.

Evzones visit Consulate General of Greece in Sydney during Anzac Day commemorations

Members of Greece’s Presidential Guard visited the Consulate General in Sydney during their official Anzac Day tour.

Jon Adgemis seeks extension as debt troubles deepen and bankruptcy threat looms

Former KPMG dealmaker turned Sydney pub baron Jon Adgemis is seeking another extension on a $1 million repayment to former staff and property managers,...

Basil Zempilas accuses WA Government of misleading public on domestic violence policy

WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas has accused the Labor government of misleading the public over its domestic violence GPS tracking policy.

You May Also Like

Property developer, Theo Maras, switches support to SA Labor party

South Australian property developer, Theo Maras, has publicly declared his support for SA Labor Party leader, Peter Malinauskas.

Sandy Constantopedos: The Sydney security technician with the voice of an angel

Sandy Constantopedos is not only a security technician, but he has also sung for the likes of Greek maestro, Themos Mexis.

Hellenic Parliament Foundation publishes Professor Anastasios Tamis’ new book on Philhellenism

The Hellenic Parliament Foundation announces publication of The Aegis of Hellas: The Continuing Vigour of Philhellenism by Professor Tamis.