The official program of events for the Battle of Crete commemorations in Sydney, New South Wales has been released. Starting in May, events include wreath laying ceremonies, an annual ball and a documentary screening on the late 105-year-old ANZAC Alf Carpenter.
Here is the full program in English:
- Friday, May 12 at 6.30pm – Battle of Crete Cocktail Party
The Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW will hold its commemorative cocktail party at the Auditorium of the Cyprus Community Club, Level 1, 58/76 Stanmore Road, Stanmore. On the night, the guest of honour will be the Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kiriakou, along with several other dignitaries and guests. Please register for this event via info@cretannsw.com.au.
- Saturday, May 13 at 1.45pm – Battle of Crete Cenotaph Ceremony
The Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will be held at the Martin Place Cenotaph Monument in Sydney.
- Saturday, May 13 at 6.30pm – Battle of Crete Annual Ball
The Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW will be holding its Annual Ball at 6.30pm at Marrickville Town Hall (303 Marrickville Road, Marrickville). The night will feature performances from all of the Cretan Association’s dancing groups and musicians from Crete. People will be entertained on the night by Antonis Kourakis (Lyra) supported by Anastasis Bouchlakis (lute) and Anastasios Georgakakis (lute).
Tickets are $95 for adults and $55 for children, inclusive of food, entertainment, beer, wine and soft drinks. Tickets can be purchased at www.trybooking.com/CHGST.
- Sunday, May 14 at 10.45am – Battle of Crete Anglican Church Service
A Church Service will be held at the Garrison Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 60 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point.
- Monday, May 15 at 6.30pm – Battle of Crete Documentary Screening
The Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW will be holding a documentary screening at Palace Norton Street Cinemas, 99 Norton St, Leichhardt. The interesting documentary is called Second Generation ANZAC – The Story of Alf Carpenter.
This informative film is a tribute to the late Alf Carpenter, who fought in the Battle of Crete and passed away last year at the age of 105. Alf Carpenter was also a life honorary member of the Cretan Association of Sydney.
Tickets are $21 each and can be purchased at https://www.trybooking.com/CHGRY.
- Tuesday, May 16 at 6pm – Talk by Glenda Humes, Daughter of Captain Reginald Saunders
The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens will be holding a talk at The University of Sydney, Camperdown, Auditorium 1, Eastern Avenue. The talk will be given by Glenda Humes about the story and life of her father Captain Reginald Saunders who was the first Aboriginal Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army.
Captain Reg Saunders fought in the Battle of Crete with the 2/7 battalion and was held refuge by the Zagarachis family for 11 months. Admission is free but bookings are essential. Tickets can be reserved at https://bit.ly/3KSrfdD or by contacting the Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens.
- Sunday, May 21 at 9am – Battle of Crete Greek Orthodox Church Service
A Church Service and Doxology will be held at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady, 242 Cleveland Street, Redfern, to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
For more details please email info@cretannsw.com.au.
