Geelong Hellenic community commemorates OHI day and the 1941 battle of Vevi
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
It was beautiful warm and sunny day when the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Geelong gathered last Sunday, 2 November to hold their commemoration of OHI Day. These included members of both the local Greek and Cypriot community, as well as representatives of other community organisations, including the Greek Community’s language school.
The event followed on from the regular Sunday church service at The Dormition of Our Lady, Greek Church with the assembly surrounding the flagpoles flying the Australian and Hellenic flags in the courtyard. The formal proceeding commenced with a blessing by Father Christos Theodoridis.
Youth were represented by the Pegasus dance group, who stood to attention at the focus of the event, resplendent in their traditional costumes led by well-known dance instructor Sotiris Sotiriou.
A brief formal address was made by Sotiris in the role of master of ceremonies in which he extolled the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by our ancestors in the face of Axis aggression in 1941, as well as noting the Cypriot military contribution to that defence.
He welcomed the participation of youth in the event to ensure this message is continued into future generations. It was my pleasure to assist the Community President Andrew Alexander in the laying of the wreath, which was followed by a wreath being laid by Sotiris, on behalf of the Pegasus dance group.
The event then moved to the community hall adjoining the Church, in which it was my privilege to deliver the OHI Day address. The attendees were served beautiful fresh loukoumades made on the premises by the women of the Community, Penny Mokkas and Maria Koullas.
The community is rightly proud of its achievements. The Community presented me with a copy of its history written by Jordan Mavros OAM, which tells the rich history of the community from the first Greek cafes established in Geelong in the 1930-40’s by George Frangos from Epirus, through the arrival of Hellenes from across Greece and beyond (including Cyprus, Asia Minor and Egypt) to the formal founding of The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Geelong in 1956 and beyond. I am told that many of the original members hailed from the Ionian island of Lefkada, and would play key roles in the local fishing industry. Soon the community built its local Church and the community hall and various other auxiliary bodies, including the Community’s Greek language school.
The walls of the Community Hall are decorated with beautiful images of Greece, as well as plaques and honour boards marking the key milestones of the Community. One lists their life members, and another celebrates the visit to the Community of then Prime Minister Bob Hawke in the 1980s. A young Sotiris Sotiriou is there standing next to the then Prime Minister. A special plaque honours the founders of the Community as a constant reminder to all to recognise and respect the efforts and sacrifices of those who have created and sustained the community and church through their efforts over many years.
In introducing me and welcoming me to the podium, Community President Andrew Alexander (whose heritage is from beautiful Kastoria in northern Greece) spoke of the importance of not only remembering Greece’s heroic stand against the Axis powers during WWII, but also Australia’s part in that stand. In commemorating Greece’s rejection of Mussolini’s ultimatum, we pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our forebears, whether they are Hellenes, Australians or those from the other Allied forces who came to Greece’s defence.
I began my address by explaining that the Hellenic link to Australia’s Anzac tradition stretches back to Lemnos and Imbros in their roles in the Gallipoli campaign, as well as to the Salonika campaign (both during WW1). These are the foundations of the Hellenic link to Anzac which were renewed in the Anzac involvement in the Greek campaign of 1941.
The focus of my address them shifted to the battle of Vevi fought in Western Macedonia in April 1941. This not only was the first major engagement for the Anzacs in the Greek campaign but saw them serve alongside Greek and British forces in their attempt to stop the German advance into central Greece. While they achieved their objective – holding up the Germans for three days – the Allies forces were terribly mauled, facing superior forces. I explained how a number of the young Australians who served at Vevi were from regional Victoria.
While the campaign would end in withdrawal and the occupation of Greece, the experience of support from ordinary Greek civilians left a lasting impression on the Australians who served there. This is reflected in the records of Australia soldiers themselves who made their way to the evacuation ports such as Kalamata and other locations such as the coastal villages of Mani including Trahila, welcomed by local people and offered generous hospitality in their moment of need. I pointed out that these sentiments also feature in our new documentary Anzac – The Greek Chapter, especially in the heartfelt words of Australian Greek campaign veteran Don Stephenson.
This is the legacy of 1941 that lies at three heart of the Hellenic link to Anzac. The coming together of Australians and Greeks in these desperate days. Memorials to these battles and service stabs to this day in Greece. It remains in the hearts of descendants of both diggers and Greek civilians. When we commemorate OHI day in Australia we remember this uniquely Australian link to Greece and its fight for freedom. To illustrate my address, it was supported by a series of overheads, reproducing many of the photographs of the. Australians in the campaign held in Australian private, state and national archives.
The formal proceedings ended with an address of thanks by Community Secretary George Ballas OAM. As the gathering enjoyed the hospitality of the community – including a few glasses of Mythos beer and ouzo – stories were told of personal connections to the Greek campaign and other military campaigns that affected Hellenes. Community member George Koullas who hails from Rizokarpazo on Cyprus, explained how as a young man, newly married in Cyprus, he enlisted as the Turkish invasion unfolded in 1974. He spoke of the horror of war.
Community leaders expressed the wish that the new Greek campaign documentary – Anzac The Greek Chapter – be brought to Geelong, possibly with an initial screening at the community hall, followed by others involving supportive groups, such as the local RSL. Watch this space.
My partner, Vicki Kyritsis, Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria, expressed support for the great work of the Geelong Community to date, looked forward to their continued growth and future opportunities for cooperation between the two communities. Many attendees also expressed the wish that the successful annual Greek Film Festival be extended to include screenings in Geelong. What a wonderful idea.
The Hellenic Community of Geelong like many others, had faced the challenges of renewal as one generation makes way for another. It was great to see the many younger members who have taken on the mantel to assist in running the community by serving on the community executive such as Andrew Alexander and Julia Pritchard.
The event concluded with much parea, good cheer and reflection on the importance of OHI Day and honouring the Australian connection to it. Many attendees took the opportunity to purchase my publications – Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed, as well as Grecian Adventure. I look forward to working with the community in Geelong as they develop future projects celebrating the Hellenic link to Anzac.
Jim Claven is a trained historian who has researched the Hellenic link to Australia’s Anzac story over many years. A published author, his books include Lemnos & Gallipoli Revealed, Grecian Adventure and From Imbros Over The Sea. Secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, he has played a key role in the erection of many memorials in Greece and Australia honouring this Hellenic connection to Anzac, including Albert Park’s Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial. He was also the Associate Producer of the new 1941 Greek campaign documentary – Anzac The Greek Chapter. He can be contacted by email – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au
The original article: belongs to NEOS KOSMOS .
