This year marks the centenary of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli; a celebration which commemorates the efforts and bravery of those on a multitude of levels. In 1915, Australia sent 330,000 young men to fight on the shores of Gallipoli, where an unfortunate 62,000 Australians died in the name of war. Amongst the fatalities were 19,000 men from Victoria.
After the war, the Victorian people were after a place to remember and to grieve for the immense loss of the fallen. Thus it was decided that the Shrine of Remembrance would be built near the city, with construction beginning in 1927. For 88 years, the Shrine has stood tall as a place of commemorative remembrance, with more than 700,000 visitors engulfed in the structure’s spirituality every year, including 70,000 school students from all over Victoria.
Dedicated to the Shrine’s existence is the altruism of over 100 volunteer guides, who selflessly give their time to allow visitors from all over the world to visit the memorial and pay their respects.
Amongst the volunteers are two Greek men who have served the Shrine for a combined total of 23 years. Mr George Galanopoulos, who has served for 15 years, and Mr Steve Kyritsis, who has served for eight years, give their time each week to personally remember the service and sacrifice of Victorians who served and died during World War One, and to allow others to do the same.
While the centenary marks 100 years of the Anzac landing in Gallipoli, it is also recognition of the efforts of those whose work keeps the memory of the fallen alive and who will keep the celebration of their bravery alive for the future.