The Battle of Kalamata Commemorative Service at the Australian Hellenic Memorial hosted by the Kalamata Society was held yesterday, guarded by the Presidential guard from Greece.
VIP present Mr Tony Tsourdalakis (Chairman for Victorian Council of Greek National Day)
Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis (Consul General of Greece, Melbourne) Major Vasilios Sakellaropoulos, Captain Stavros Kouloumbas, former minister of health Jenny Mikakos, President of the Kaalamata Society Sam Vlachos also present Captain Tanoa from the New Zealand Army, Wing Commander Rod Humphreys from the RAAF, Lieutenant De Silva from the HMAS Cerberus
The Battle of Kalamata took place on 23 March 1821 between the Greek irregular revolutionary forces and the Ottoman forces of the city. It was one of the first events of the Greek War of Independence. The result was the capture of the city by the Greeks. Kalamata became the first city to be liberated.
Images by Nick Bourdaniotis/Bourdo Photography (Copyright)