Ambassador Spyrou visits historic village named after Australian Major George Treloar

·

Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Arthur Spyrou, paid a special visit on Tuesday to the Greek village of Thrylorio in Rodopi, Northern Greece, which has been named in honour of Ballarat-born Major George Devine Treloar.

The village has 600 residents and a strong Pontic Greek history, which Major George Treloar is tied to.

During 1922 – 1926, in his capacity as Commissioner for Refugees of the League of Nations in Northern Greece, Major George Treloar helped rescue and resettle thousands of Christian, including Pontic Greek, refugees from Asia Minor.

Major George Devine Treloar. Photo: Australian Embassy / Facebook.

His efforts to organise food, shelter, medical care and work assisted over 108,000 refugees. As a result, Major George Treloar is considered one of Australia’s most influential humanitarian figures.

To pay his respects to this legacy, Ambassador Spyrou visited Thrylorio and walked in the footsteps of Major George Treloar, as well as his two sons, David and John Treloar, who have visited the village in the past.

According to a Facebook post from the Australian Embassy in Greece, Ambassador Spyrou received a warm welcome when he arrived from the President of the village, Mr Giorgos Apostolidis, the President of the Cultural Association of Pontic Greeks, Ms Chrysa Mavridou, and members of the community.

Ambassador Spyrou offered the village a family heirloom, a handwoven tapestry, as a gift – a small token of the enduring friendship between Greece and Australia.

The Ambassador also visited the local church where he admired the precious relics of Thrylorio and learned about its history.

To conclude his visit, the Ambassador visited the Basketry Museum of the Roma where he learned about the traditional life of Thrylorians and the craft of basket-making. The museum was founded by Antonis Liapis and is the only one of its kind in Greece.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Una Faccia, Una Razza’: The politics of memory and the power of saying ‘OXI’

The annual homage to “OHI” Day stems from Greece's Prime Minister Metaxas firmly stating “OHI” (NO) to Mussolini's request.

The Master Miller and the art of olive oil perfection

The Master Miller’s mission has its roots in a philosophy that begins at the olive tree and reaches the heart of those who seek quality.

Brain regain: For the first time in 14 years, more people return to Greece than leave

For the first time in over a decade, Greece is witnessing a positive migration balance as more Greeks return home than emigrate.

When everyday Greeks said OXI: Resistance and survival during World War Two

“Aera!” (Air!) roared Greek soldiers as they clawed over jagged rocks on the brutal Pindus Mountains during Italy’s 1940 invasion.

Botanical Park of Crete: Rooted in fire, inspiring hope

The October 2003 fire started with electrical cables in a village near the Marinakis family’s olive groves.

You May Also Like

Fronditha Care honours International Women’s Day with Patricia Karvelas

Fronditha Care, was delighted to have acclaimed journalist Patricia Karvelas as its special guest celebrating International Women's Day 2024.

Professor Anastasios Tamis pays tribute to the ‘irreplaceable’ Peter Jasonides

This week marks forty days since the passing of the unforgettable fellow Greek, sensitive and active patriot Peter Jasonides.

Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis to talk about leadership in Digital Speaker Series

Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, will give an online talk on July 8, 2020 as part of The Hellenic Initiative's Digital Speaker Series.