The Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW held a moving commemoration at the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park on Sunday, April 6, honouring the Battle of Vevi (April 1941) and the joint sacrifices of Greek and ANZAC forces during WWII.
Emceed by Themis Kallos, the ceremony brought together community leaders, dignitaries, and descendants of veterans to pay tribute to a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter of wartime history.
The formal proceedings began with the recital of The Ode and the Last Post, followed by renditions of the Australian and Greek national anthems.
Anastasia Karakominakis, President of the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW, welcomed guests and reflected on the enduring friendship between Australia and Greece.
“The courage and sacrifice displayed by both Greek and Australian troops forced a bond that continues to be honoured and remembered to this day. We commemorate the Battle of Vevi not only as a moment of national resilience and sacrifice for Greece, but also as a powerful symbol of Hellenic Australian friendship, a bond born in battle and carried forth in peace,” Mrs Karakominakis said.
Ioannis Mallikourtis, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, reflected on the deep-rooted military history linking the two nations.
“This battle was not the first time Australians found themselves in Macedonia fighting alongside their Greek allies… but it was the first major engagement on Greek soil in WWII where Anzacs, British and Greek soldiers stood together in defiance of overwhelming odds,” Mr Mallikourtis said.
He also acknowledged the ongoing work of community organisations like the Pan-Macedonian Association in preserving and promoting these stories for future generations.
Renowned historian and author Jim Claven OAM delivered the keynote address, shedding light on the Battle of Vevi as a moment of exceptional courage and cooperation between Australian and Greek troops. Drawing on archival material and personal fieldwork in the region, Claven described the harsh conditions, fierce resistance, and historical significance of the battle, noting it was “a story of courage and defiance that should be better known… a critical moment of Anzac and Greek unity in the face of overwhelming odds.”
Mr Claven’s speech built on the themes explored in the documentary ANZAC: The Greek Chapter, which was screened the evening before in Leichhardt.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Mrs Karakominakis presented both Mr Claven and Mr Kallos with gifts as a token of appreciation for their ongoing support and dedication to preserving this shared wartime history.
The ceremony then continued upstairs with prayers led by His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis and a symbolic Star Ceremony conducted by James Grey, followed by a solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony. It was during this final portion of the commemoration that His Grace offered his official address, representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia with a spiritual reflection on sacrifice and legacy.
The day concluded with refreshments, offering guests a chance to reflect, connect, and continue discussions about this shared chapter in Hellenic and Australian history.
