History was made at Sydney’s ANZAC Memorial on Friday evening, June 12, as the inaugural Cyprus Memorial Commemoration brought together veterans, descendants, diplomats, historians, clergy and community leaders to honour a shared legacy of service and sacrifice linking Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand.
Said to be the first event of its kind in Australia, the commemoration recognised the contribution of Cypriots, Australians of Cypriot heritage and New Zealanders of Cypriot heritage who served during times of war, while shining a light on often-overlooked chapters of military history, including the Cyprus Mule Corps, the Cyprus Regiment and Australian peacekeeping service in Cyprus.
Held in the Hall of Service at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park, the event was organised by the Cyprus Memorial Committee and the Cyprus Community of New South Wales as part of a broader effort to preserve and promote the stories that have connected the three nations for more than a century.
The evening commenced with a solemn memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony, with prayers offered by His Grace Bishop lakovos of Miletoupolis.
Guests stood in remembrance during the Ode, Last Post and the national anthems of Australia, New Zealand and Cyprus, paying tribute to generations who served in defence of freedom.
Official proceedings were led by Dimitra Mavrocordatos, President of the Hellenic Society of UNSW, while Ken Fischer served as Master of Ceremonies throughout the evening.
Preserving memory for future generations
Welcoming guests, Cyprus Memorial Committee member Maree Skouros reflected on the thousands of Cypriots who served alongside Australian, New Zealand, Greek, British and Allied forces during both World Wars, as well as Australians of Cypriot heritage who later served in the Australian Defence Force.
“Their stories are stories of sacrifice, courage and service,” she said.
“As young Australians of Cypriot heritage, we have a responsibility to keep this legacy alive and pass it on to future generations.”
She also acknowledged the Cyprus Community of NSW’s Honorary President Michael Peters Kyriacou, Michael Phillips and members of the Cyprus Memorial Committee for helping bring the historic initiative to life.
Minister highlights multicultural ANZAC legacy
Delivering the Australian Government address, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Matt Thistlethwaite MP reflected on the evolution of Australia’s understanding of the ANZAC story and the many communities whose contribution helped shape the nation.
While acknowledging Gallipoli’s central place in Australian military history, Thistlethwaite emphasised that modern Australia increasingly recognises the role played by people from diverse cultural backgrounds who served alongside one another during times of conflict.
“Australia does not define itself by its Britishness. We’re a proud, independent, multicultural nation,” he said.
The Minister highlighted the contribution of Greek Australians, Cypriots, Indigenous Australians and many other communities whose stories form part of Australia’s military heritage.
He paid tribute to the Cyprus Mule Corps during the First World War, the Cyprus Regiment during the Second World War and the Australian peacekeepers who later served in Cyprus under the United Nations.
“Tonight, we remember the Cypriots who served with and alongside Australians,” he said.
“Tonight, their stories are our stories. Tonight, those people are our people.”
His remarks underscored the significance of recognising Cypriot contribution as part of Australia’s broader national story and were warmly received by attendees.
Cyprus’ wartime contribution remembered
Representing the Republic of Cyprus, High Commissioner Antonis Sammoutis delivered a deeply personal address examining Cyprus’ role in the Allied war effort and the enduring relationship between Cyprus and Australia.
He noted that from a population of fewer than 400,000 people during the Second World War, more than 30,000 Cypriots volunteered for military service, including approximately 200 women.
“It is not exaggerated if we assume that one in every three young men of suitable military age enlisted to fight,” he said.
Sammoutis spoke of Greek and Turkish Cypriots serving side by side in Allied uniforms and emphasised the sacrifices made by those who fought against fascism across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
He also paid tribute to Australian peacekeepers who served in Cyprus for more than five decades, describing their contribution as an important chapter in the relationship between the two nations.
Sammoutis also congratulated organisers for bringing the long-planned initiative to fruition before the conclusion of his diplomatic posting in Australia.
Honouring memory through education
A particularly moving moment came when student Peter Evangelidis delivered the poem Brothers in Battle, honouring Cypriots who served alongside Allied forces and calling on future generations to preserve their stories.
The evening also featured a keynote presentation by Professor Georgios Kazamias of the University of Cyprus. Despite technical difficulties affecting the live link from Cyprus, Professor Kazamias was able to outline the important role played by the Cyprus Mule Corps and the Cyprus Regiment while emphasising the need to preserve the memory of those who served.
The evening also marked the launch of the exhibition and publication Mateship: The Story of Cypriots and the ANZAC Tradition, exploring the wartime experiences of Cypriots who served alongside Australian and New Zealand forces and celebrating the bonds forged through military service.
The exhibition and publication form part of the Cyprus Memorial Committee’s broader mission to document and preserve stories that have often remained absent from mainstream historical narratives.
Bringing hidden history to light
One of the evening’s most engaging presentations came from historian and researcher Jim Claven OAM, widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading authorities on the ANZAC experience in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Claven congratulated organisers on creating what he described as the first event he had attended specifically dedicated to commemorating Cypriot service alongside the ANZAC tradition.
“I want to congratulate everyone involved in that. It’s really important,” he said.
Drawing on decades of research, he highlighted the often-overlooked contribution of the Cyprus Mule Corps during the First World War and the Cyprus Regiment during the Second World War.
He explained that muleteers were frequently required to transport ammunition, supplies and equipment through dangerous front-line conditions, often under enemy fire and in harsh terrain.
Claven also shared little-known stories of Australian troops stationed in Cyprus during the Second World War, recounting how local communities welcomed Australian servicemen with flowers, wine and blessings as they arrived to help defend the island.
His presentation highlighted the deep personal connections forged between Cypriots and Australians during wartime and reinforced the importance of preserving these stories within the historical record.
A lasting legacy
As guests gathered afterwards to view the exhibition, browse the newly launched publication and reflect on the evening’s proceedings, the significance of the occasion was evident.
More than a memorial service, the inaugural Cyprus Memorial Commemoration marked the beginning of an ongoing effort to preserve a shared military history spanning Cyprus, Australia and New Zealand.
For organisers, descendants and attendees alike, the evening was a powerful reminder that the stories of those who served must continue to be remembered, recorded and passed on to future generations.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald
