Melbourne commemorates OXI Day with ceremony at the Hellenic-Australian Memorial

Melbourne’s Greek assemblage marked the nationalist day of October 28, commemorating Greece’s historical defiance against fascism successful 1940.

The event, organised by the Greek Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League (RSL), took spot astatine the Hellenic-Australian Memorial and brought together a ample gathering of assemblage leaders, organisation representatives, and members of the public.

The ceremonial began with a memorial supplication led by Archimandrite Kyrillos, honouring the fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for state and nationalist dignity.

The connection from Greece’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Michail Loverdos, was work by Greece’s Consul General successful Melbourne, Dimitra Georgatzoglou. In his address, Loverdos highlighted the courage, unity, and self-sacrifice of the Greek radical successful the look of tyranny, noting that the historical “OXI” continues to stand arsenic a universal symbol of liberty and quality dignity.

Major Terry Kanellos served arsenic Master of Ceremonies, offering a elaborate relationship of the events of October 28, 1940, and emphasising the shared struggle and enduring relationship betwixt Greek and Australian forces during the Second World War.

Representatives from Greek and Australian organisations, schools, and associations then laid wreaths astatine the Memorial, followed by a infinitesimal of soundlessness successful remembrance of the fallen.

The proceedings concluded with the National Anthems of Greece and Australia, aft which attendees gathered astatine the RSL clubrooms for a airy repast and coffee, sharing stories and memories successful a spirit of assemblage and pride.