Scott Morrison sends tribute message in honour of 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete

·

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has sent a tribute message to Australia’s Cretan Community ahead of a commemorative dinner to be held on Saturday night, honouring the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW will be holding a ‘Battle of Crete Dinner Dance’ on the 10th of April to commemorate this historic landmark, held at the Croatian Club in Punchbowl.

The Australian Prime Minister said now is a time when Greek people can “draw strength from their rich history”.

“In the aftermath of a battle fought with honour, and conceded without disgrace, a deep friendship was forged,” Mr Morrison said in a statement.

“The record of the days and weeks that followed is a chapter of bravery and selflessness that has bound Australia to Crete ever after.”

The Australian PM recognised that on this anniversary in years prior, Australian veterans and their descendants would travel to Greece to honour the dead who rest in peace at Suda Bay.

Photo: Australian War Memorial / 006818.

“In 2021, those reunions are out of reach. But, the painful separation of a global pandemic has endowed togetherness with new meaning. The strength of our friendship is not bound by time or distance,” Mr Morrison said.

“In the theatre of war, the people of Greece and Australia were united in a quest for peace. As they confronted tyranny together, they upheld the principals of justice and liberty so beloved by both our nations.

“Today, we reflect on the spirit of sacrifice and shared humanity enacted on Crete in 1941. We rejoice in our enduring friendship, nurtured by ties of blood and fostered by mutual respect. As we stood together in war, so we stand together in peace — our eyes fixed firmly on a future shaped by the valour of the past.”

The Battle of Crete began on the morning of 20 May 1941, when Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion of Crete. Allied forces, including Australian, British, New Zealand and Greek troops, fought in the battle which lasted over 12 days.

READ MORE: NSW Premier commends Australia’s Cretan community ahead of Battle of Crete 80th anniversary

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also sent her best wishes to the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, saying it is “heart-warming” to see Australians of Cretan heritage “honour the courage and sacrifices of the ANZAC troops and their forebears.”

Details of the event can be found here: https://bit.ly/3uR9noL

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Earlwood’s Greek spirit centre stage as ‘Plateia’ Festival secures state funding

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will host the “Love Earlwood” festival thanks to the NSW Government’s Open Streets 2025-28 Program.

Greek Consul General honoured at Hellenic Club farewell event in Sydney

Sydney’s Greek community came together on Thursday for a dignified farewell dinner in honour of Greece’s Consul General, Ioannis Mallikourtis

Field of candidates announced for 2025 Greek Community of Melbourne Board election

Greek Community of Melbourne has officially called elections for a new Board of Directors, with members set to head to the polls on June 29.

Australia Cup 2025: Strong Greek heritage club presence as Final 32 locked in

The cast for the Hahn Australia Cup 2025 Round of 32 has been decided following the completion of the Preliminary Rounds.

Apostolakis and Trimis named on Young Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Young Matildas Head Coach Alex Epakis has settled on a 32-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Sydney.

You May Also Like

Greek parliament approves $3 billion purchase of French Rafale fighters

Greece has earmarked 11.5 billion euros for the modernisation of its armed forces over the next five years.

Executive Director of EU Agency for Railways: ‘We had alerted Greece to safety gaps’

Executive Director of EU Agency for Railways, Josef Doppelbauer, shares with The Greek Herald: 'We had alerted Greece to safety gaps.'

Greece condemns ‘fiestas’ outside of Hagia Sophia on Fall of Constantinople anniversary

The fiesta took place in Istanbul last night outside the former church and patriarchal cathedral of Greek Orthodoxy, the Hagia Sophia, a museum since 1932.