{"id":24546,"date":"2026-10-29T04:07:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T04:07:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/29\/evzones-at-the-australian-war-memorial-honour-war-dead\/"},"modified":"2026-10-29T04:07:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T04:07:21","slug":"evzones-at-the-australian-war-memorial-honour-war-dead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/29\/evzones-at-the-australian-war-memorial-honour-war-dead\/","title":{"rendered":"Evzones at the Australian War Memorial Honour War Dead"},"content":{"rendered":"


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CANBERRA, October 2026 \u2014 Evzones at the Australian War Memorial honoured the war dead of Australia, Greece and Cyprus on Wednesday 28 October, then marched to the Australian Hellenic Memorial on Anzac Parade.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Australians and Greeks gathered in their hundreds to watch the Evzones at the Australian War Memorial, a detachment of the Hellenic Presidential Guard. It was the Guard\u2019s first official visit to Canberra, the Hellenic Club of Canberra<\/a> said.<\/p>\n

Stavros Venizelos, Greece\u2019s ambassador to Australia, and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, the Greek military attach\u00e9, laid the first wreaths. Cyprus High Commissioner Haralambos Kafkarides and John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, followed.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones are escorted past the Pool of Reflection at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWarm congratulations to Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and Community President John Loukadellis for all the events on Tuesday and Wednesday marking National Day,\u201d<\/em> Kafkarides said.<\/p>\n

Read more: Evzones Arrive in Sydney for OXI Day Celebrations and Canberra Visit<\/p>\n

\u201cThe presence of the Evzones was a great honour, for the first time in the Australian capital city,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n

\"Greek
Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and Military Attach\u00e9 Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in the Hall of Memory. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kafkarides said Oxi Day carries particular meaning for Cyprus:<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor our Cyprus, the day the Hellenic people said OXI (NO) to fascism means a great deal because the people of Cyprus gave a great deal to the struggle for the freedom of all peoples. Thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots fought on the side of the Allies, while hundreds lost their lives. Honour and glory to all our heroes in Greece and Cyprus during World War Two and during the resistance to the occupiers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haralambos Kafkarides, High Commissioner of Cyprus<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Cyprus High Commissioner Haralambos Kafkarides and John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, place a wreath at the Tomb. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Evzones at the Australian War Memorial<\/h3>\n

Their tsarouchia echoed off the stone walls as the Evzones marched past the Pool of Reflection and the Eternal Flame. Nearby, the Roll of Honour<\/a> carries the names of more than 103,000 Australians who died in war service, among them Greek Australians.<\/p>\n

Entering the Hall of Memory, the Evzones filed past the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier and stood guard beneath the dome, which resembles those of Orthodox churches.<\/p>\n

In silence, the Guard and guests honoured the sacrifices of those who came before them.<\/p>\n

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Floral tributes lie at the Tomb as the Evzones stand watch in the Hall of Memory. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Guard visited the Greek Embassy in Canberra on Tuesday and attended a reception at Parliament House earlier on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Video of the Evzones at the Australian War Memorial is below.<\/p>\n

\"Evzones<\/source><\/picture>
The traditional Evzone high-step in front of the Australian War Memorial\u2019s dome. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Evzones<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones on the terrace of the Australian War Memorial with flags and Anzac Parade behind. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Video: Greek City Times<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Evzones<\/source><\/picture>
Evzones walk the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Evzones<\/source><\/picture>
Visitors watch as the Evzones walk through the Australian War Memorial grounds. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Hellenic Memorial on Anzac Parade<\/h3>\n
\"A<\/source><\/picture>
Officials and Evzones line up at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Presidential Guard then marched across the broad expanse outside the Australian War Memorial and over Anzac Parade to the Australian Hellenic Memorial.<\/p>\n

\"Evzones
Evzones stand in formation at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Haralambopoulos dedicated the memorial<\/a> on 21 May 1988. Since then, it has served as the focal point of commemoration for Canberra\u2019s Hellenic community.<\/p>\n

\"Guests<\/source><\/picture>
Official guests gather on the plaza at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Guard stood at attention while those present sang the Greek national anthem, the Hymn to Liberty.<\/p>\n

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Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos speaks at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Group photo at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"A
The Evzones with Canberra\u2019s community and guests at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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An Evzone with Australian Defence Force personnel at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Video of the Guard at the Hellenic Memorial is below.<\/p>\n

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Video: Greek City Times<\/em><\/p>\n