In May 1941 Australian, New Zealand, British and Greek soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder with the Cretan people to defend their island from invasion.
Vastly outnumbered and facing an enemy buoyed by recent success, almost 800 Australians were killed or wounded, and over 3000 captured.
And although the island ultimately fell, we will never forget the heroic Cretan struggle to retain control of their homeland, nor the compassion of those who sheltered Allied soldiers following defeat.
Eighty one years on, we commemorate these historic events, and honour the many civilians and soldiers who were wounded or killed in battle.
We also celebrate the enduring bonds between Australia and Greece forged from out of that terrible experience.
Today, the friendship between our communities remains strong, underpinned by our long-standing political and people-to-people links and shared history in war and peace.
I send my best wishes to the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand and everyone commemorating the Battle of Crete.
The Hon
Scott Morrison MP