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Anzacs of Greece Memorial, Evans Head

Anzacs of Greece Memorial, Evans Head
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Anzacs of Greece Memorial, Evans Head
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Anzacs of Greece Memorial, Evans Head
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Description / Background

This war memorial is a large bushrock with a marble plaque attached. The plaque is inscribed with a classical Greek quote and an English translation. The same plaque can be found in a number of museums and parks across NSW.

The plaque program was arranged by Dr. Stavros Kyrimis, Consul-General of Greece in Sydney and the Hellenic Village Ltd. A ceremony was held in Sydney on 28 October 2016 to as part of the 76th Anniversary of OXI (NO) Day 1940. Plaques and a poster explaining the Greek text were presented to RSL sub-Branches that attended the event. A large number have now been presented to RSL Clubs, schools and professional institutions in NSW, Victoria and the ACT.

The bushrock is located in Riverside Memorial Park, which is located close to the Evans Head RSL Club. It is used for various commemorative services throughout the year.

Inscription

Plaque

ANZACS OF GREECE

[Classical Greek quote]

Doing battle besides the Hyellespont these men lost their shining youth. They brought honour to their homeland, so that the enemy groaned as it carried off the harvest of war and for themselves they set up a deathless memorial of their courage.

LEMNOS - MACEDONIA - CRETE

Poster

Consulate General of Greece Sydney

ANZACS OF GREECE

This marble plaque is offered as a gesture of gratitude from the Greek-Australian Community for the Australians and New Zealanders - Anzacs - who defended democracy in its birthplace during both World Wars. More than 64,000 Anzacs set off from the Greek Island of Lemnos for the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. More than 45,000 Anzacs fought in Greece during World War II. Of these extraordinary men and women, 795 Australians and 1,200 New Zealanders lie in Greek soil nearly half of the Australian war dead have never been found or their remains identified.

The original inscription in Classical Greek is part of a longer inscription commemorating the sacrifice of Athenian warriors who died fighting at the Hellespont (Dardenelles) in the mid 5th century BCE. In 1932, Australian poet and Classical Greek scholar Christopher Brennan brought the inscription to the attention of Robert Innes Kay. He in turn, brought it to the attention of Charles Bean. All three were struck by how aptly the inscription related to the Anzac experience despite being written over 2,000 years earlier.  A plaster replica was arranged by John Treloar in 1935 and placed on display in the Australian War Memorial.

LEMNOS - MACEDONIA - CRETE

Veterans listed on this memorial

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Address
Riverside Memorial Park
McDonald Place
Evans Head NSW 2473
Local Government Area
Richmond Valley Council
Setting
Garden/park
Location status
Original location
Memorial type
Stone/bushrock
Recorded by
Graham Wilson
Year of construction
2016
Dedication date
28 October 2015
Conflict/s
First World War, 1914–18
Second World War, 1939–45
Materials
Marble
Other stone