The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW held a cocktail party at the Cyprus Club, Stanmore, on Saturday, as part of events commemorating this year’s 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Crete.
Community members, officials and younger generation Cretans gathered to pay tribute to the men and women
who helped defend Crete during WWII and honour the bonds of friendship between Australia and Greece that were forged in the cauldron of war.
President of the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, Emmanuel Vitetzakis warmly welcomed the attendees.
Speeches followed by the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yiannis Mallikourtis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Tony Tsourdalakis, Chairman of the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and Greek Campaign, James Jordan, and Guest of Honour Lieutenant General and Chief of Staff of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, Georgios Kiriakou.
Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, representing Archbishop Makarios of Australia was also among the speakers.
Steve Siganakis was the MC of the event, which featured an exchange of gifts between President Vitetzakis and distinguished guests before the conclusion of formalities.
Among the highlights of the night was the presence of Cretan Youth representatives who sang the Australian and Greek national anthems.
Military officials from both countries also attended the commemoration, including naval Captain Stylianos Mitsiotis, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos Military Attache to the Greek Embassy, and Commander Dr Stephen Townsend of the Australian Navy.