As the ANZAC Centenary approaches, more resources should be made available to mark Australian wartime sacrifice and duty in Greece, according to a new report produced by the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Greece. The report produced in conjunction with the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee was recently presented to the Victorian Parliament following a parliamentary study tour to Greece in April. Coordinated by Victorian MP John Pandazopoulos, the tour saw Victorian MPs and former federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Alan Griffin attend commemorative events associated with the ANZACs in Greece in WWI and WWII. The delegation spent ten days in Greece visiting key battlefield sites, cemeteries and memorials, and also met with regional and national Greek government officials. During the tour, the group spent time on Lemnos island with its significant connections to the Gallipoli Campaign. In WWI Lemnos was the embarkation point for Australian forces who landed at ANZAC Cove and housed hospitals and convalescent camps. A number of other important sites marking Australian involvement in Greece in both World Wars were visited. The 50 page report that documents the study tour details a raft of recommendations upon which federal and state governments are encouraged to act. The recommendations include finding ways to encourage and work with the Greek authorities to create a network of linked sites – telling the story of Australian military and humanitarian actions in Greece since the beginning of the 20th century. The report also calls on the Victorian Government to support initiatives of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce to expand two-way trade and investment and links with Melbourne’s ‘sister city’ Thessaloniki, and develop a ‘sister region’ relationship with a prefecture in Greece that has strong ANZAC connections, such as western Macedonia. John Pandazopoulos MLA for Dandenong told Neos Kosmos: “We need a commitment from the federal government to support the concept of a Greek ANZAC trail. “Lobbying could be assisted by support from state governments and the Greek community, returned services networks and veterans’ families. “With such a commitment we could use this to lobby the Greek authorities in implementing the various ‘missing links’ that are essential for such a concept to work.” Mr Pandazopoulos said increased visitor numbers to the sites would generate commercial opportunities for communities near to the historic locations. “Whilst there are a couple of ANZAC tours to Greece each year, [an ANZAC trail] could lead to regular tours throughout the year,” said the member for Dandenong. The report also stressed the need to expand ‘two-way trade’ between Australia and Greece – trade relations that could take advantage of greater co-operation in relation to the promotion of ANZAC sites and the historical military connections between Greece and Australia. Between 2014 and 2018 Australia will commemorate the ANZAC Centenary, marking 100 years since Australia’s involvement in WWI. Copies of the ANZAC Study Tour of Lemnos and Greece can be viewed at the Victorian Parliament library and are available from John Pandazopoulos.