More than seventy supporters of Ballarat’s new memorial statue to post-WW1 refugee helper Major George Treloar Devine gathered at Yarraville’s Eleni’s Kitchen & Bar last week to celebrate another milestone.

The highlight of the night was the presence of Lis Johnson, the renowned local Melbourne sculptor who is currently in the process of creating the memorial. Lis has created many sculptures and will be the first female sculptor to have her work erected in Ballarat’s Sturt Street.

Amongst those present were members of the George Treloar Memorial Committee that has been working for the past four years to have this memorial erected in Treloar’s birthplace of Ballarat. Others came from across Melbourne’s Hellenic community, including representatives of Melbourne’s Pontian, Thracian and, Messinian and Cretan communities, as well as the Merimna of Pontian Ladies of Oceania. Ms Kate Garrison also attended, representing the City of Ballarat. The gathering was particularly honoured by the presence of Harry Hudson, Treloar’s great nephew.

Lis said she was honoured to be chosen for this important project. She said that she was attracted to the project because of the nature of the memorial’s significance and George’s story. It was more than just another military memorial. This memorial combined the story of George’s exemplary military career but most importantly his incredible refugee work in northern Greece. The latter is symbolised in the figure of the little girl, with her belongings, being assisted by the figure of George.

It was my pleasure to recount some of the key aspects of the George Treloar story – from his early days in Ballarat, to his travelling to England before the war, joining the British Army and being promoted and decorated for his service on the Western Front, his service in Russia and at Constantinople, where he was not only married but importantly was given responsibility for caring for the thousands of Russian refugees that had made their way there after the end of the Russian Civil War.

READ MORE: Meet Lis Johnson, the artist of the George Devine Treloar memorial statue

It was here that George demonstrated his skills as an organiser and aid worker and it was no doubt due to this experience that he was given the post of League of Nations representative with responsibility for refugees in northern Greece. It was here that George assisted in the re-settlement of over 100,000 Christian refugees and earned himself the devotion of all he helped. He was awarded one of the highest civilian honours by the Hellenic government and the village of Trylorion was named after him. It was my pleasure – along with Lee Tarlamis OAM – to have visited this village a number of years ago and experienced the love of this community for George Trleoar and his work.

Also in attendance were representatives of George Treloar’s old school in Ballarat, St Patrick’s College. Mr Allan McKinnon of St Patrick’s College said that George’s refugee story is an inspiring one and one that should be held up as an inspiration for others. We need more George Treloar’s today, he said. This year, to coincide with the erection of the Memorial, George Treloar will be inducted into the School’s Legends. A special lunch will be held at St Patrick’s College to celebrate the life of George Treloar on Saturday, 31 August. All are welcome. Tickets are available at https://www.trybooking.com/BBZJO

Merimna President Litsa Athanasiadis spoke on behalf of the George Treloar Memorial Committee, stating how proud she was to have taken part in the project. She stressed how many of those present at the dinner were the descendent of those Christian refugees who were saved by George Treloar all those years ago. The memorial is our community’s way of returning, in a small but significant way, the great help that George extended to our ancestors in the years following the terrible Asia Minor catastrophe.

READ MORE: Sculptor announced for George Treloar memorial

She informed the assembly that the new memorial will be erected in Ballarat’s Sturt Street on Sunday, 8th September 2019, with a major unveiling ceremony planned. This will include important Hellenic elements, signifying the Hellenic community’s debt to George Treloar. All are welcome and are encouraged to attend this important event.

Amongst those present were Pan Thracian Association President Chris Vlasakis, Pontiaki Estia President Con Tseparailidis, Pontian Associations of Australia former president Roma Siachos, Sam Kalaidopoulos and Sakis Athanasiadis of the Marble Centre Exclusive, Madeleine Athanasiadis and Yiana Kalaidopoulos who are the directors of Lithostone Quarts Sevices, Lemnos-Gallipoli Commemorative Committee President Lee Tarlamis OAM, Paul Sougleris of the Pan Messinian Brotherhood Papaflessas and Tony Tsourdalakis of the Pan Cretan Association.

The George Treloar Memorial Committee would like to thank Eleni’s kitchen for their generous donation and support of this important evening. All proceeds for the evening will go towards funding the George Treloar Memorial.

Jim Claven is a historian, freelance writer and a member of the George Treloar Memorial Committee. He can be contacted at jimclaven@yahoo.com.au