The RSL Hellenic Branch in Ferrars Place South Melbourne, honoured our colleague Claire Gazis with a plaque, from the Returned & Services League Australia, for her contribution to the RSL, through Neos Kosmos.

The award was given during the luncheon held at the premises of the RSL on 25 March, in the presence of the General Council of Greece Mr Emmanouel Kakavelakis, president of RSL Mr Manolis Karvelas and secretary Terry Kanellos.

Claire thanked the Executive Committee for the great honour and added that “at Neos Kosmos, it is our duty to write stories and cover events of our heroes and ordinary people, whose actions make us proud. After all, their stories are part of our Verbal Community History, in which I am a devoted supporter”.

“Through the stories of the veteran and ex-president of RSL Mr Steve Kyritsis, I was able to mix with the Australian soldiers who participated in Vietnam War, spent months in bushy tents and witnessed their efforts to save lives of innocent civilians. I was also able to walk with Mr Kyritsis though his memoirs, the narrow Kokoda Track, when the Japanese were just about to invite Australia. Unforgettable experiences. As far as covering of stories and events of the RSL Branch and the Australian Greek Memorial in Domain Gardens, is part of our job. The credit goes to Neos Kosmos,” Ms Gazis added.

On a personal level, Claire has done research about the Lefkadians who fought during World War I and II, with the Australian Amy. The Lefkadian ANZACS (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) with roots in the island of Lefkada.

“The idea about the project came after reading the book of veteran Steve Kyritsis about the Greek ANZACS. It was a big job,” she noted.

“Along with my colleague Mrs Christine Katsandonis, and under the umbrella of the then Lefkadian Cultural Association, we have researched at the National Archives of Canberra, came in contact with older Lefkadians, knocked doors and made numerous phone calls.

Finally, on Sunday, 22 October 2017, we presented our members with a historic event, including veterans descendances and Parliament representatives. May I add, that the one and only Greek soldier killed at the Battle of Crete, was the lefkadian soldier Dimitri Zampelis. It was 20 May 1941.”

The night ended in good company, with long conversations revolving around memories from past challenges and how the lessons of the past can be applied to modern times for a better future.