The Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand proudly announces the national program of events commemorating the 84th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign. These commemorations will be held throughout May and June 2025 across Australia and New Zealand, paying tribute to the valour and sacrifice of those who fought in 1941.
In a testament to the enduring bond between Greece and Australia, we are honoured to welcome a high-ranking delegation from the Hellenic Ministry of Defence to participate in the commemorations. This distinguished delegation, led by Vice Admiral Theodoros Mikropoulos HN, Deputy Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, will travel to Tasmania, Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne to attend official ceremonies and events.
The Delegation for 2025 consists of the following members of the Hellenic Defence Force:
- Vice Admiral Theodoros Mikropoulos HN
- Lieutenant Commander Dimitrios Lekkakos HN
- Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos HC
The Battle of Crete remains a defining moment in history, symbolising courage, sacrifice, and the unbreakable friendship between the people of Greece, Australia, and New Zealand. The Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand invites all members of the community, veterans, dignitaries, and descendants of those who served to join us in remembering and honouring this shared legacy.
| TASMANIA |
| Saturday 10 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Tasmania in conjunction with the Hobart RSL Sub-Branch are hosting a commemorative wreath laying Ceremony at the Hobart Cenotaph, Queens Domain, Tasmania at 2:00pm. In the evening, the Cretan Association of Tasmania is hosting a commemorative dinner dance at the Hellenic Hall 67 Federal Street, North Hobart at 6:30pm. Sunday 11 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Tasmania in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – District of Tasmania are hosting a commemorative doxology and church service at the Greek Orthodox Church of Street George Church, Antill Street Hobart at 10:00am. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff delegation will also attend private functions during their program in Tasmania held by the Honorary Consul of Greece in Tasmania and the Cretan Association of Tasmania. |
| NEW SOUTH WALES |
| Friday 16 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Sydney in conjunction with the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney are co-hosting a presentation by Professor Peter Monteath and commemorative cocktail party at the Anzac Memorial in Hyde Park, Sydney at 6:30pm. Saturday 17 May 2025 The Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign is holding the annual commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Martin Place Cenotaph Monument at 1:45pm. In the evening, the Cretan Association of Sydney & New South Wales is holding its annual commemorative ball, at the Grand Vaudeville 178 Eldridge Road, Condell Park at 7:00pm. Sunday 18 May 20254 The Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign is holding a commemorative church service at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 60 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point at 10:45am. Sunday 25 May 2025 The Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia are holding a commemorative doxology and church service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, 242 Cleveland Street, Redfern at 9:00am. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff delegation will also make a number of visits during their program in Sydney including the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, St Spyridon Greek Orthodox College, St Basil’s Nursing Homes, the Lemnos Memorial in Kogarah Town Square, the Parish of the Resurrection of Christ, Kogarah and the Royal Australian Corps of Military Police complex “Lamia Barracks”. Private functions will also be held by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand and the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and Greek Campaign (NSW). |
| WESTERN AUSTRALIA |
| Sunday 18 May 2025 The Consulate General of Greece, the Greek Australian RSL and Battle of Crete Memorial Committee are co-hosting a commemorative doxology and church service in the morning. Following this, the Greek Australian RSL and Battle of Crete Memorial Committee are co-hosting a wreath laying ceremony at the Battle of Crete Memorial at the Saw Avenue precinct at Kings Park. Following this, the Greek Australian RSL and the Battle of Crete Memorial Committee are co-hosting a commemorative lunch at the Duxton Hotel 1 St Georges Terrace, Perth. |
| AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY |
| Wednesday 21 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Canberra and the Embassy of Greece in Canberra are co-hosting a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, in Anzac Parade, Reid at 12:00pm. Following this, the Cretan Association of Canberra and the Embassy of Greece in Canberra are co-hosting a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the unknown soldier – Australian War Memorial, in Campbell at 1:15pm. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff delegation will also make a number of visits during their program in Canberra including the Embassy of Greece in Australia and the Australian War Memorial. Private events will be held by the Embassy of Greece in Australia and the Hellenic Club of Canberra. |
| NORTHERN TERRITORY |
| Sunday 25 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Northern Territory will be holding a commemorative doxology and church service at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George 92 Cavenagh St, Darwin at 9:00am. Following the church service, the Cretan Association of Northern Territory will be holding a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial in Bicentennial Park, the Esplanade. |
| NEW ZEALAND |
| Sunday 25 May 2025 The Cretans Association of New Zealand is hosting a commemorative doxology and church service at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Hania Street, Mount Wellington at 10:00am. Following the church service, the Cretans Association of New Zealand is hosting a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Greek – New Zealand Memorial, Cambridge Terrace, Wellington. |
| VICTORIA |
| Friday 23 May 2025 The Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and the Pancretan Association of Melbourne are co-hosting a commemorative cocktail party at the Cretan House 148 – 150 Nicholson Street, Brunswick East at 7:00pm. Saturday 24 May 2025 The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council is holding the official commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Shrine of Remembrance at 11:30am. Following this, the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council is holding a commemorative wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic War Memorial at 12:30am. In the evening, the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and the Pancretan Association of Melbourne are co-hosting a commemorative dinner dance at the Cretan Village 90 Cathies Lane, Wantirna South at 7:00pm. Sunday 25 May 2025 The Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia are holding a commemorative church service & doxology at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Catherine 3B Epping Street, East Malvern at 9:00am. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff delegation will also make a number of visits during their program in Melbourne including the Victorian Parliament House, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and Oakleigh Grammar. Private functions will also be held by the Greek Ex Servicemen Association of Australia and the Battle of Crete and Greece Commemorative Council (VIC). |
| QUEENSLAND |
| Sunday 25 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Queensland will be holding a commemorative doxology, church service and wreath laying ceremony in the morning. Saturday 31 May 2025 The Cretan Association of Queensland is hosting its annual commemorative dinner dance at Olympic FC, 50 Camdale Street, Yeronga at 6:30pm. |
| SOUTH AUSTRALIA |
| Sunday 08 June 2025 The Cretan Association of South Australia in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia – District of Adelaide are hosting a commemorative doxology and church service at the Greek Orthodox Archiepiscopal Church of Saint Sophia 100 Drayton Street, Bowden at 9:00am. Saturday 14 June 2025 The Cretan Association of South Australia is hosting it’s annual commemorative dinner dance at the Cretan House 220 Port Road, Alberton at 7:00pm. |