At 10 am on Sunday, 17 July, Bishop Kyriakos of Sozopolis lead the memorial service at St Efstathios Church in South Melbourne, followed at 12 noon by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial on Birdwood Avenue near the Shine of Remembrance in Melbourne.
Due to the heavy rainfall and the new wave of COVID-19 cases in Melbourne attendance was significantly limited this year.
Accompanied by the High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, Martha Mavrommatis, at 3pm, the Republic of Cyprus’ Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Demetriadis, the special guest of Justice of Cyprus SEKA Victoria, opened a photographic exhibition at Coburg Library which is entitled Cyprus through the eyes of a photographer.
Reminding everyone that on July 20, 1974 the people of Northern Cyprus suffered greatly during the invasion of the Turkish forces, and that since that day, their lives have forever been changed Mr Demetriadis stressed that he destruction, persecution, loss of homes, jobs and lives are constant reminders of those very dark days which still persist 48 years later.
Mr Dimitriadis then thanked Greeks in Melbourne, everywhere in Australia and the Hellenes around the world for their ongoing support towards Cyprus.
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
All photos: Con Deves
In the coming days, the Deputy Minister is also scheduled to meet with Archbishop Makarios among several Community and state officials and dignitaries to promote Australian-Cypriot relations.
The organisation noted that Cyprus was a member of the European Union and was a free democratic country with vibrant communities that had lived in peace and harmony for centuries. Justice for Cyprus said the1974 Turkish invasion of the island and its partitioning had separated two communities by force. The Turkish government was insisting that the two communities could not live together and continued to violate the human rights of both Greek Turkish Cypriots.
Justice for Cyprus SEKA Victoria called on people to: “Let’s all join together to stand Up for Cyprus. Join us in our vow that we will not forget. We will keep the memory of one free Cyprus alive. We will continue to advocate for peace for our divided land for all Cypriot people.”
On the same day, members of South Australia’s Cypriot and Greek communities gathered at the Cyprus Community centre of SA in Welland, Adelaide to commemorate the 48th Anniversary of the Turkish Invasion of Cyprus and honour those who fought for freedom.
The event, organised by the Cyprus Community of SA and Justice for Cyprus (SEKA SA) started with a memorial service at the Parish of St George in Thebarton followed by a wreath laying ceremony and speeches.
