The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council had the great honour of welcoming to Melbourne the official delegation of the Hellenic Army Academy, in a visit that marks a new chapter in Greece-Australia relations.
The delegation was led by the Commander of the Hellenic Army Academy, Major General Anastasios Polychronos, accompanied by his wife Chrysa Psychogiou, the Dean of the Academy Dr Georgios Kaimakamis, the Head of International Collaborations, Major Evangelos Zarkos, and Captain Vasileios Athanasopoulos.
The delegation was further honoured by the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitra Georgantzoglou, whose attendance gave official weight and distinction to every event, as well as the Defence Attaché of the Embassy of Greece in Canberra, Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, accompanied by his wife Vasileia Konou.
The visit took place within the framework of the forthcoming collaboration between the Hellenic Army Academy and the Military Academy in Canberra, a partnership that represents the culmination of years of preparation and systematic dialogue. The planned student exchange is the first and decisive step in this new relationship of military and academic cooperation, aimed at opening new horizons for the future officers of Greece.
It is well known that the Hellenic Army Academy is internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading military institutions. The visit to Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne was therefore a significant milestone, strengthening the bonds between Greece and Australia – two nations connected by deep historical, military, and cultural ties.
In Melbourne, the delegation held a highly meaningful meeting with the Chair of the Council, Natasha Spanos, as well as Council members Miltiadis Stamatakos, Kyriakos Herekakis and Tony Tsourdalakis.
In an atmosphere of respect and shared historical consciousness, they discussed future avenues of collaboration with the Hellenic Army Academy, with the aim of further strengthening the bonds of remembrance between the peoples of Greece and Australia.
It is well established that senior officers of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff attend the annual commemorations of the Battle of Crete in Australia. Their presence each year stands as an act of historical gratitude towards the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fell during the Battle of Crete, a reminder that our nations fought together and sacrificed together in defence of freedom.
The meeting, therefore, between the officers of the Hellenic Army Academy and the members of the Council reflects the excellent cooperation and the shared commitment to fostering ties that honour our homeland, education, and service to the wider community, both in Greece and in Australia. At the same time, it highlights the mutual respect and appreciation between the two bodies, as well as their collective dedication to preserving and promoting historical memory and Greek values within the contemporary Greek community of Australia.
The discussion also extended to issues regarding Greek language education in Melbourne, emphasising the vital role of the Greek language as a bearer of memory and culture for the younger generations of the Greek diaspora.
In this context, Major General Polychronos extended a warm invitation to the students of Oakleigh Grammar to visit the Hellenic Army Academy in 2026, so that they may experience first-hand its history, ideals, and mission.
During the delegation’s stay in Melbourne, the Chair, Mrs Spanos, accompanied them in most of the official visits, demonstrating exceptional dedication and service. She was joined by the Vice President of the Cretan Federation, Mr Herekakis, and Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr Tsourdalakis, all of whom contributed decisively to the excellent hospitality and coordination of the visit.
The program included an official visit to the Australian Hellenic Memorial with a wreath laying ceremony, as well as a guided tour of the Shrine of Remembrance. On Sunday, the delegation visited the Cathedral of Panagia “Axion Estin,” where they met with His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Chora, and later attended the offices of the Diocese of Melbourne, where they were warmly welcomed by His Grace Bishop Kyriakos of Melbourne.
The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council expressed gratitude to the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mrs Georgantzoglou, and to the Defence Attaché of the Embassy of Greece in Canberra, Colonel Kyriakakos, for their outstanding cooperation, active presence, and unwavering support for the work of the Council.
It also extended its congratulations to the leadership of the Hellenic Army Academy for achieving this significant collaboration with the corresponding military academy in Australia, an initiative that will undoubtedly yield highly positive outcomes in the years ahead.
