EVENTS

Over 100,000 Australian Men and Women served in and through Greece in the 20th Century.

The heroic feats of Australians and Greeks continue to inspire current and future generations.

Their legacy of courage , love , mateship and the sacrifice of one’s life and personal safety for the other exemplify the highest Philotimia , the highest human ideals. This legacy brings out the best in the human spirit creating a better , a more cohesive society .

The history and narrative of the Australians that served in Greece is about the ongoing journey of the Greek Australian community to define its story of what it means to be Australian. The offering of its Greek culture through food and entertainment were the first few steps, but it’s the shared stories of sacrifice , heroism and courage of Australians and the Greek people that has the strength in narrative to bring forward a potential deeper meaning and identity for current and future generations of what it means to be an Australian of Greek heritage and to be connected to both countries.

We encourage you and your families to attend the commemorations of the 85th Anniversary of The Battle of Crete and The Greek Campaign which are as follows:

Wreath laying Service at the Cenotaph on Saturday 16 th May 2026 at 1.45 pm for 2pm sharp

This is one of the premier Greek Australian commemoration events in Sydney and has occurred annually for nearly 50 years .

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales will be represented and there will be attendees of the NSW and Federal Parliaments, Consulates General, Australian and Greek military officers, Greek Australian Community organisations , Anzac families, and schools.

The event will be supported by The Royal Australian Naval band and Catafalque Party

A high-level Greek military delegation led by Lieutenant General Konstantinos Bouzos, Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) will attend.

The Greek military delegation will be coming from Greece specifically for these commemorations

Church Service at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Church Cleveland & Regents Streets Redfern Sunday 17 th May 2026 commencing at 9:30am.

Church Service at The Holy Trinity Garrison Church Millers Point on Sunday 24 th May 2026 commencing at 11:15am.

LEST WE FORGET

Nick Andriotakis BE (Hons)

Secretary

Joint Committee for the

Commemoration of the

Battle of Crete & The Greek Campaign

Saturday 18th May 2019

• 1.45 pm Wreath laying ceremony at The Cenotaph Martin Place Sydney
• 7pm Battle of Crete Annual Ball.

For details please Contact Cretan Association of NSW ph 0402 081 590

Sunday 19th May 2019

• 9.30 am Memorial Service Greek Archdiocese Church cnr Cleveland and Regent St Redfern

Sunday 26th May 2019

• 11.15 am Memorial Service Garrison Church cnr Argyle and Lower Fort St Millers Point (Rocks) Sydney

ANZAC BATTLES OF CRETE AND THE GREEK CAMPAIGN 77^th ANNIVERSARY

Cenotaph Martin Place Sydney, Saturday 19^th May 2018 at 2 pm

The  Joint  Committee for  the  Commemoration of the Anniversary of the  Battle of  Crete  and the  Greek Campaign  (Joint Committee) annually commemorates through a wreath laying ceremony the Anzac Battles of Greece and Crete of April-May 1941 .

Some 17,000 Australians fought in mainland Greece and Crete and 646 were lost . More than half of these Anzacs were not found or their remains identified.

On the occasion of the 77^th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign  we wish to invite  you and your families to attend  the very poignant  wreath laying ceremony at the Sydney Cenotaph Martin Place Sydney, Saturday 19th May 2018 at 2 pm.

This  is an opportunity to take out some time from our busy lives and give  thanks to the brave Anzacs and Greek people who defended Greece in 1941 .

Lieutenant General Nikolaos Christopoulos, Chief of Staff of the Hellenic Defence  accompanied by  Major Nikolaos Gogousis will attend to honour the Anzacs  and  the Greeks who defended Greece in 1941.

We will also be honoured by the presence of representatives of the NSW and Federal Parliament, Consulates General, Australian military officers, Anzac families and schools.

DETAILS OF ALL COMMEMORATIONS.

Saturday  19^th  May 2018

1.45 pm - Wreath   laying   ceremony at    The    Cenotaph   Martin Place     Sydney 

7pm - Battle of Crete Annual Ball. For details   please    Contact   Cretan Association of NSW   ph    0402 081 590 

Sunday 20^th May 2018

11.00 am Memorial Service   Garrison   Church    cnr      Argyle   and Lower Fort St    Millers Point (Rocks) Sydney

Sunday 27^th  May  2018   

9.30 am   Memorial Service   Greek Archdiocese   Church    cnr    Cleveland and   Regent   St    Redfern  

The Consulate General of Greece and the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign, 

kindly invite you to a public flag raising and star ceremony where we will solemnly commemorate

The 77^th Anniversary of OXI (NO) DAY 1940

and the gallantry and sacrifice of more than 34,000 Anzacs who served with distinction in the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign.

Date: Friday, October 27^th, 2017 Venue: Northern Steps of the Anzac Memorial Hyde Park South

Time: Ceremony will commence 4pm sharp and conclude 5pm 

Keynote Speaker: Mr Brad Manera, Senior Historian | Curator | Anzac Memorial

This is also the last public event of Consul-General Dr Stavros Kyrimis organized by the Consulate of Greece.

The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW Battle of Crete Dance will be held on 13th May 2017.

The Garrison Church Service  to be  held  at 11.00 am  Sunday 14th  May. 

Location: 60 Lower Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000

Wreath Laying service to be held on Saturday 13th May at 1.45.

Location: Cenotaph, Martin Place

Doors open from 5.00pm
Official proceedings will commence at 5.30pm sharp
The Master of Ceremonies
Mr Peter Dexter AM
Chairman of the Australian National Maritime Museum
RSVP by 17 March, 2017
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fax: 9264-6135

Date:  Friday, October 28th, 2016
Venue: Anzac Memorial Hyde Park South (Northern Steps), Sydney
Time:  Ceremony commences at 4:00pm sharp.
Official proceedings commence at 4:10pm and will conclude at 5:00 pm

This  weekend  on Sunday  5^th of June  at 330pm the Anzacs  of Greece and  Crete will be commemorated in a pre game event at the NRL game between the Roosters  and  the Tigers  at the Allianz  Stadium in Moore Park Sydney .

There will also be plenty free kids activities, giveaways and Take to the Turf post game.

We encourage  everyone to attend and  you can use  the special promotional code and receive 20% off tickets – CRETE2016 

Promo code to get discount (enter the following in the field that asks for a member password): CRETE2016

Link for tickets: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=ROOS1316

The long-awaited 42nd Street Anzac Memorial was dedicated as part of the official Battle of Crete commemorations today at 6.30 pm  Greek time, with the ceremony near Chania a highlight of the opening day of the 75th anniversary events on the island. The memorial, on the site where Australian and New Zealand forces fought German mountain troops on 27 May 1941, has been five years in the making, and the initiative was established by Glenda Humes, eldest surviving daughter of Captain Reg Saunders MBE. 

Due to the significance of the  75^th Anniversary of the Anzacs in Greece  the Greek Presidential Guard has been given rare special permission by the RSL to guard the  Sydney Cenotaph

The dates and times are:

• Wednesday  20^th 12.30 until 1.30 pm
• Thursday 21^st 12.30 until 1.30 pm and  
• Friday 22^nd  8.30am until 9.30 am