The Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial at Lemnos Square in Albert Park has been repaired in short order following its recent vandalization.

Its desecration with graffiti was brought to the attention of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee by urban historian and former Mayor and Councillor of the City of Port Phillip, Janet Bolitho.

The component of the memorial depicting a nurse of the Australian Army Nursing Service had been defaced with spray paint.

This most recent attack is the second to occur since the memorial’s unveiling in 2015.

Sculptor Peter Corlett OAM, the installation’s creator, lamented that it’s not uncommon for such damage to befall public sculptures.

The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee expressed its thanks to the City of Port Phillip “who acted so swiftly to repair the damage.”

 

Committee president Lee Tarlamis OAM and Jim Claven, its secretary said “We would particularly like to thank Justin Gayner, the Programming and Curatorial Lead at the City of Port Phillip and of course the restoration workers who completed the repairs.”

They also extended their gratitude to Sandra Khazam of the City of Port Phillip council “for her ongoing support.”

“It is important that graffiti or other attention seeking acts like this are removed quickly to limit the ‘5 minutes of fame’ of the perpetrator,” they continued.

Marking their appreciation for the diligence of Janet Bolitho in alerting the Committee to the defacement of the memorial, they presented her with a copy of their book Lemnos and Gallipoli Revealed as a token of thanks.

The Committee also shared their thanks with “all our friends and supporters who contacted us to offer assistance and express disgust at the damage to one of the few memorials in Melbourne to feature a sculpture of a woman.”

Tarlamis and Claven assured all concerned that “The Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial again stands proud and ready to host this year’s commemorative event in August.”

In related news, authorities on the island of Lemnos have announced that this year’s annual commemorative services for the Gallipoli campaign may take place in May rather than the usual date prior to Anzac Day.

Though no definite date has been announced, the Committee says the commemorations will likely take place between 3 and 9 May.