Tens of thousands of war veterans and spectators gathered yesterday to celebrate Anzac Day, with the annual parade down St Kilda road to the Shrine of Remembrance.
The Greek community was represented by members of the Hellenic RSL, who have been participating in the parade since 1978. “As with other years we are very happy and privileged to take part in this year’s Anzac Day march.
It’s an honour to celebrate Anzac day because there’s so much to celebrate, ” Korean War veteran Steve Kyritsis said.
“And we’re not thinking just Gallipoli and so on, there’s other wars as well, where Australia’s been involved.”
Also in attendance, the 6th Box Hill Hellenic Scout band, whose drums kept diggers from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in step.
The day, which had otherwise run smoothy, was marred by an unfortunate motor vehicle accident towards the end. Six World War II veterans from the Ceylon Ex-servicemen’s Association were transferred to the Alfred Hospital after being run-down by their own troop carrier.
Two were listed as being in a critical condition and another suffered a broken pelvis.
The police Major Collision Unit will investigate whether the accident occurred as a result of driver error, or mechanical malfunction.