Hellenic ANZAC MemorialPrint Page 
The olive tree commemorates the bond forged between the Greek and Australian people, from the Island of Lemnos in 1915 in World War One to the battles of the Greek and Crete campaigns of 1941 during World War Two, and the Greek post-war migration to Australia. The tree is located in the gardens to the rear of Victoria’s Parliament House, adjacent to both the former tennis court and the fence of St Peters Anglican Church.
The memorial was initiated by the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Greece, supported by the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council.
It was unveiled on 24th May 2017 by the Premier of Victoria, the Honourable Daniel Andrews MP, the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Matthew Guy, MP, and Lieutenant General Konstantinos Floros, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic Defence Forces. The event was attended by the Consul-General of Greece Ms Christina Simantiraki, many Government Ministers and Members of Parliament, other dignitaries from Greece and representatives of Melbourne’s Greek community.
The unveiling was attended by the descendents of some of the ANZAC`s who served in Greece across both world wars. Ms Deb Stewart is the grand-daughter of Sister Evelyn Hutt who served with the 3rd Australian General Hospital on Lemnos in 1915. Ms Shirley Devery’s father Tom, served with the 2nd / 6th Australian Infantry Battalion across the Greek mainland and on Crete in 1941. Mr. Peter Ford is the son of Frank Ford who also served in Greece and Crete in 1941 with the New Zealand 22nd Wellington Battalion.
The wording on the plaque was written and prepared by historian Jim Claven, who chose to incorporate the words of Australia’s World War One correspondent and historian, Charles Bean. These words were written by Bean on his viewing of an ancient Greek text in Athens after the end of World War One.
Location
| Address: | Macarthur Street, Victorian Parliament House Gardens, East Melbourne, 3002 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.810148 Long: 144.974805 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Tree |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | Multiple |
| Link: | https://lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.… |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 24th May, 2017 |
|---|
Plaque :
Θυσίασαν τα νιάτα τους για να εξυψώσουν
They gave their shining youth, and raised
το μνημείο της ανδρείας που είναι αθάνατο !
thereby valour’s own monument which cannot die !
Quoted by C E W Bean, Gallipoli Mission
In recognition of the bonds of friendship & solidarity between the Australian & Hellenic people forged across both world wars from Lemnos in 1915 through the Battles of Greece & Crete in 1941 – and in the waves of post-war migration to Australia.
May - 2017
