Representatives of Melbourne’s Hellenic community again took part in the annual Dawn Service commemoration organized by the Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL at the iconic Cenotaph at Warrawee Park.
The Cenotaph is modeled on the Cenotaph at Whitehall in London. Designed by the architect Edwyn Lutyens, the structure derives its name from the Greek meaning “empty tomb”, symbolizing the absence of the dead and a place of public mourning. The Oakleigh Cenotaph was erected in 1933 and re-dedicated in 1965 by Lieutenant General the Hon Sir Edmund Herring, who served in Greece in both world wars, on the Salonika Front and the Greek campaign of 1941.
Lee Tarlamis OAM MP and Jim Claven of the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee, as well as Natasha Spanos of the Battle of Greece and Crete Commemorative Council, laid wreaths in honour of the fallen, recognizing the role of Australia’s service personnel who served in Greece across both world wars. They were joined at the service by local MP’s Steven Dimopoulos, Member for Oakleigh and Victorian Government Minister and Clare O’Neil, Federal Member for Hotham and Australian Government Minister, both of whom have supported initiatives to recognize the Hellenic link to Anzac at the local RSL.
Mr Claven noted that locals from Oakleigh served in Greece across both world wars. 25 year old Private William Withers of the 22nd Battalion came to Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign and is buried there at East Mudros Military Cemetery. His name is etched on the impressive restored Roll of Honour Board at the RSL. 21 year old Private George Foot of the 2/7th Battalion survived his Greek campaign, escaping capture after the fall of Kalamata in late April 1941 only to succeed in escaping along with over 200 Allied soldiers from the beaches and ports of the Mani coast.
Hundreds attended this year’s service, standing in the brisk morning air, with many representatives of local schools including South Oakleigh Secondary College and Oakleigh Grammar, as well as other local organizations including the Hellenic Scouts.
Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL has been at the forefront of local RSL’s keen to build awareness of the Hellenic link to Anzac. The Club walls are adorned with photographs of the Anzacs in Greece, from Lemnos in 1915 to the Acropolis in 1941, donated to the RSL a few years ago by Jim Claven and local MP’s Steven Dimopoulos and Claire O’Neill.
