Representing the Greek Government and the Ministry of National Defence and concluding his official visit to Australia, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Hardalias, attended on 29 October 2022 the celebrations commemorating the 82nd National Anniversary marking the Epic of 1940, which were organized by the Greek Diaspora of Australia in Adelaide, in attendance of Presidential Guard, as follows:
Initially, he visited the Unknown Soldier Monument, where a memorial service took place, officiated by His Grace Bishop Silouan of Sinope, and he subsequently laid a wreath.
In the context of the event, Mr. Hardalias, made the following address:
“With deep respect and reverence, I stand here today before the Monument in honor of those fallen for Australia, to pay my respects to the fallen members of the Australian Armed Forces. May they rest in peace; may their memory infinitely be a bright example of the best people coming from your nation and the Western world in general.
Nonetheless, I am full with honor and pride. I say honor, because this year, I have had the chance to celebrate the Day of OHI, one of the most important Greek national celebrations, in a country whose courageous soldiers fought by our soldiers’ side in many battles, including WWII. I also say pride, because I watched today the brave men of the Presidential Guard, our Evzones, honoring, being thus far from our homeland, the heroes who made the utmost sacrifice. As Thucydides said, the whole earth is the sepulcher of famous men, and the names thereof is not only commemorated on inscriptions in their Homeland, but their memory is honored in foreign countries as well, so much so in the memory and heart of men and not just on written records and tombs.
Ladies and gentlemen, the risks and destructions caused by war cannot be accurately determined, and they should not be under-estimated. However, we have to acknowledge that, in the lives of nations, few international events may establish such strong ties as those forged during the common trench fight. In Athens, on the Unknown Soldier Monument, our national sepulcher which is devoted to the unknown Greek soldiers that were killed in war, the words Crete, El Alamein and Korea are thereon engraved. Brutal battlefields, where Greeks and Australians gave their lives in a selfless and patriotic struggle for the high values of freedom, democracy and brotherhood among nations. Let us not forget the brave fighters of ANZAC who were assigned to Lemnos during the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915-1916, against the authoritarian and genocide-causing Ottoman Empire. Whereby the hardship and the sacrifice thereof, they set the foundations of the current unbreakable ties connecting our nations.
Dear attendees, we could have long talks about the battles fought by our Armed Forces, and we would not be able to mention even half of it. If we take a simple look at the map and see the distance separating our countries, it is at first truly unexpected. However, as we are all aware of, the distance is not of significance when common values and principles are at stake, and where ideals worth fighting for are in place.
In conclusion, I would like once again to thank the Greek Studies Foundation for hosting the Presidential Guard in Adelaide. I congratulate you on your role in the development and promotion of the Greek-Australian culture, and I urge you to keep on moving towards this very direction.
In awe and respect, I stand before the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, here in Adelaide.
Because the death toll of Australian Heroes in the battles against totalitarianism and tyranny and in favor of Democracy and Freedom remains unique in every part of the world!
In Crete, in Korea, in El Alamein, Greeks and Australians fighters fought side by side for the same ideals, principles and values.
May they rest in peace!
May gratitude and respect only accompany their souls and may their example always constitute the ultimate example of self-sacrifice and heroism.
My dear compatriots, we return back to our Homeland full of unique, distinct emotions of pride for everything you offer and stand for here, 13.500 km away.
We thank you! We are grateful! Till we meet again!
Long live Greece!
Long Live Australia!”
In attendance were also the Vice Admiral Efthymios Mikros, Director of the Hellenic Presidency Military Office, representing the Presidency of the Republic, the Minister of Infrastructure & Transport and (Minister) of Energy & Mining, Mr. Tom Koutsantonis, the Minister for Arts, Consumer and Business Affairs, for Small & Family Business, Ms. Andrea Michaels, Mr. Pederick Adrian representing the Head of the Opposition Party, the Federal MP, Mr. Steve Georganas, the State MPs, Connie Bonaros, Irene Pnevmatikos, Olivia Savvas και David Pisani, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Mr. George Psiachas, the Greek Defense Attaché, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos, the Chairman of the Hellenic Foundation and former Minister for Education of South Australia, Mr. Greg Crafter, Chair of South Australia’s Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs, Ms. Andriana Christopoulos, Chairpersons and representatives of Greek Diaspora Clubs and Schools, as well as Greek Diaspora Members.
Later on, in view of the official event to mark 200 years as of the birth of George Tramountanas, 180 years as of his arrival to South Australia as the first Greek emigrant, as well as the unveiling of his bust and the bust of his spouse, Lydia, the Deputy Minister of National Defence visited the Migration Museum. George Tramountanas was born in Lemnos in 1822 to migrate along with his brother Theodoros to South Australia 180 years ago, in 1842. He lived, worked and had a family with Lydia Vosper (of English origin) in South Australia. He died at 89, in 1911.
Mr. Hardalias subsequently toured the museum, where important exhibits are presented, showcasing the migration towards South Australia from different countries of the world.
In attendance were also the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Mr. George Psiachas, the Greek Defense Attache, Colonel Ioannis Fasianos, the Chair of the History Trust of South Australia, Ms. Elizabeth Ho and the Chair of the “Tramountana North Association” and descendant of the first immigrant George Tramountanas, Mr. Ray North.
