On Wednesday, 1 October 2025, the presentation of the pioneering book by Professor David Treloar and Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, entitled From Genocide to Regeneration: The Photographs of George Devine Treloar, was completed at the Archdiocesan Centre in Dianella, Western Australia.
The event was organised by the publishers Unity in Philia together with the Pontian Brotherhood of Western Australia, and supported by the Hellenic Community of Western Australia.
It was a diverse event featuring speeches, photographs, music, and dance. The dancers of the local Pontian Brotherhood graced the evening, presenting traditional dances from martyred Pontus. It is truly impressive that, four generations after the genocide, Australian-born Greek children continue to learn the dances and music of Pontus.
A particularly moving moment was experienced by those present when a video call was made with the village of Thrylorio in Rhodope, the village which in 1923 was named in honour of Colonel Treloar. A greeting was delivered by Chrysa Mavridou, President of the Cultural Association of Pontians of Thrylorio “Kerasounta and Gars.”
As Mrs Mavridou stated: “We honoured [the descendants of Colonel Treloar] for their father’s contribution during those difficult years for Hellenism and our ancestors, and above all, we expressed in every possible way that we now consider them our own people – Thrylorio residents.”
The book was officially presented by Dr Melanie O’Brien, Professor of International Law at the University of Western Australia, who reminded the audience that seven years ago she had delivered a lecture in Perth on the work of Colonel Treloar.
“It is with great pleasure that I present this book,” Dr O’Brien emphasised, “as I have known of Professor Treloar’s and Dr Diamadis’ research for many years. Congratulations on this great achievement. I encourage you all to support this book in every way.”
The main speakers were the authors of the book, Professor Treloar and Dr Diamadis.
Eighty-nine-year-old Professor Treloar, son of Colonel Treloar and owner of his father’s photographs, recounted stories of his father’s humanitarian work for the survivors of the Genocides of the Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians in Greece during the 1920s.
Using his camera, Colonel Treloar documented his mission and the refugees he helped to rebuild their shattered lives.
Dr Diamadis presented his field research, walking in the footsteps of Colonel Treloar across various locations in Thrace, Macedonia, and Athens. In doing so, he was able to identify the places where the photographs were taken, revealing significant parts of Treloar’s legacy.
A greeting was also delivered by Eleni Georgopoulou, Consul of Greece in Perth, while the evening was flawlessly conducted by Nikos Keskinitis, Vice-President of the local Pontian Brotherhood.
To secure your own copy of this groundbreaking book titled Genocide to Regeneration: The Photographs of George Devine Treloar, please contact the publishers Unity in Philia at info@unityinphilia.gr. In January 2026, the Greek edition of the book will be released.
