Members and friends of Merimna Pontion Kyrion (Oceania), community representatives and distinguished guests gathered this week at a Springtime Luncheon fundraiser in support of a project commemorating the humanitarian efforts of Major George Devine Treloar.
The function, organised by Merimna, was held at Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar in Yarraville by Stylianos Amanatidis’ family who hosted and sponsored the event at their restaurant.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch with all proceeds directed towards the public artwork to be erected at Treloar’s birthplace, Ballarat.
Their generous contributions amounted to a total of $5,675.
Major George Devine Treloar has been recognised for his active role in resettling Greek refugees from Asia Minor following 1922 in his capacity as the League of Nations High Commissariat for Refugees in northern Greece at the time.
It is estimated that he helped more than 108,000 people during the years 1922-1926 and has received many accolades for his work, including an appointment to the Order of the Saviour and having the village ‘Thrilorion’ near Komotini named after him.
In a bid to honour his contribution, the Merimna Pontion Kyrion of Oceania, along with the Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria’s ‘Pontiaki Estia’ started working closely with the City of Ballarat in 2015 for the commemorative project.
Merimna’s president, Litsa Athanasiadis spoke highly of the people involved in the collective efforts and thanks all supporters of the project.
“The journey started three years ago with many people giving their generous time and energy to final see the fruits of their labours. A special thanks to all the George Devine Treloar committee without whom none of this gallant project would have eventuated.
“My gratitude goes out to the young Merimna members who always work hard at our functions. As a very proud president, I watch the new generation who will carry on our legacy.”
Artists are currently submitting their final proposals for the memorial, with the unveiling expected to take place mid 2019.
Guests who attended the event included the Victorian Greens’ leader for the northern metropolitan region, Samantha Ratnam, Lee Tarlamis, representing the south eastern metropolitan region, historian and secretary of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Jim Claven, Tony Tsourdalakis representing Melbourne’s Pancretan Association, national coordinator of the Pan-Macedonian Federation of Australia Peter Jasonides, president of Pontiaki Estia Con Tseprailidis and former president of Federation of Pontian Associations Roma Siachos.