Australian Hellenic Memorial Canberra

The Australian-Hellenic Memorial, Canberra is made of finished concrete, ceramic glazed tiles, broken slate, iron, marble and copper alloy and designed by the architectural firm, Ancher, Mortlock and Woolley Pty Ltd. The shape of the Memorial is like an amphitheatre in which a Doric column represents the birth of civilization. Embellished with the cross of the Greek Orthodox Church the column symbolizes a hero's grave and compares with the severity of the bomb-damaged steel fragment, which represents the devastating forces of war. A mosaic pavement is the base of the memorial that includes a graphic version of the Greek mainland and far-flung islands.

On 6th April 1941, Germany marched into southern part of Yugoslavia and Greece and the 6th Australian Division joined an Allied force resisting the advance.This group of soldiers mainly from Australia and New Zealand, fought with proficiency and willpower but many soldiers were fell to the ground. A number of evacuated Australians were taken to Crete where, along with British, New Zealand and Greek troops, they fought an unfortunate battle against extremely skilled German troops. More than 5000 Australians were made prisoners of war in both battles. Honourable R.J.L. Hawke AC MP, Prime Minister of Australia and Mr. Yanis Haralambopoulos, Deputy Prime Minister of Greece dedicate the Australian-Hellenic memorial, Canberra on 21st May 1988, to honour the soldiers who died in the Greek War of World War II particularly during the battle for Crete.

Getting to Australian-Hellenic memorial, Canberra
Place: Reid, Australian Capital Territory, 2612
District: Southern Tablelands (ACT)
Direction: Suburb of Canberra
Location: west side of Anzac Parade,
Canberra
Australia
Telephone: 61 (0)2 6243 4211
E-mail: info@awm.gov.au

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