Melbourne’s iconic Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park ranks among the suburb’s top 10 attractions, according to Tripadvisor.
The memorial honours the role of the Greek island in Australia’s Anzac story, dedicated to the Australian nurses and soldiers who served there during the Gallipoli campaign of 1915 and the Lemnian community who supported them.
Positioned just 80 kilometres from the Dardanelles strait, Lemnos became a key part of the offensive as an advanced base for the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, with the bay of Moudros acting as a staging ground for the Allies’ 200 ships prior to the landings.
The story of the diggers on Lemnos is often highlighted as a defining moment in the development of the exceptionally close diplomatic relations now shared between Greece and Australia.
Today, 148 Australians remain in Lemnos’ military cemeteries at East Mudros and Portianos.
The memorial acts as the site of a yearly commemorative event, honouring the sacrifices made by the Anzacs and paying tribute to the unique connection the island shares with Australia.
Recently defaced with graffiti, the second such attack since its unveiling in 2015, it was restored in short order thanks to the efforts of the City of Port Phillip.
