Athens, Greece – April 25, 2025 – The Australian Embassy in Athens held a solemn ANZAC Day Commemorative Service today at the Commonwealth War Cemetery in Alimos, marking the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
The event, which began at 10:00 a.m., brought together dignitaries, military personnel, and members of the Australian, New Zealand, and Greek communities to honor the sacrifices of the ANZAC forces during World War I and subsequent conflicts.
The service, led by Master of Ceremonies Chief Petty Officer Simon Hamstead of the Royal Australian Navy, featured a series of poignant readings and prayers. Ambassador of Australia, HE Ms. Alison Duncan, delivered a moving address, reflecting on the enduring legacy of the ANZACs and their contribution to global peace. The Honorary Consul of New Zealand, Ms. Ioanna Gouvatsou, recited an excerpt from Pericles’ Funeral Oration, emphasizing the timeless values of freedom and remembrance.
A highlight of the ceremony was the reading of Nursing Sister Anne Donnell’s words from Lemnos in October 1915, presented by Lydia Rigogiannis of Byron College. Donnell’s reflections captured the hardships faced by medical staff and soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign. George Georgantzakos from St. Catherine’s British School also read Poli Tataraki Sansey’s poem At Phaleron (2024), a tribute to the fallen buried at the Phaleron War Cemetery.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, HE Mr. Çağatay Erciyes, recalled the words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, emphasizing reconciliation and peace: “After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.” Father Benjamin Drury, Priest and Chaplain at St. Paul’s Anglican Church Athens, led a prayer of remembrance, while choristers from the same church performed Abide with Me, adding a heartfelt touch to the proceedings.
Wreaths were laid at the cemetery, followed by the recitation of The Ode from Laurence Binyon’s For the Fallen by Ms. Rosie Linakis, OAM. The ceremony included a minute of silence, the Last Post, and the national anthems of New Zealand and Australia, with the New Zealand anthem sung in both Māori and English.
The Australian Embassy extended special thanks to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, St. Paul’s Anglican Church Athens, St. Catherine’s British School, and Byron College for their support in organizing the event. Attendees were reminded to ensure their phones were switched to silent, fostering a respectful atmosphere for the occasion.
This annual commemoration continues to strengthen the bonds between Australia, New Zealand, and Greece, honoring shared history and the enduring spirit of the ANZACs.