After holding high level meetings in Athens, Greece on Wednesday, the Governor-General of Australia, David Hurley, visited the island of Lemnos.
On the island, Mr Hurley attended ANZAC memorial events to honour the service of the ANZACs and other personnel involved in the Gallipoli campaign during WWI.
The Governor-General also participated in a historic ceremony, marking the building phase of the Lemnos Remembrance Trail at the “Australian Pier,” a key site linked to the service of the Anzacs on the island.
On the day, Mr Hurley was accompanied by Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and the Greek Deputy Minister for National Defence, Nikos Hardalias.
“The legendary ANZAC, the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, have a special place among those who took part in the Gallipoli battle,” Sakellaropoulou said.
“Today that another war is raging on our continent after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it is even more important to remember and honour the sacrifice of all those who defended freedom, democracy and a peaceful co-existence between peoples.”
For his part, Mr Hurley offered warm thanks for the events to commemorate and honour the fallen ANZAC troops that have been held on the island of Lemnos for over 20 years.
He also referred to the historic importance of the Gallipoli battle, as well as to the courage of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers.
