Help us promote Lemnos' link to Anzac - Make a donation now

Our Committee is raising funds to create a lasting legacy telling the story of Lemnos' link to Gallipoli and Australia's Anzac story. Our projects include the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial in Albert Park, the publication of a major new historical and pictorial publication and more. To make a donation you can also deposit directly by direct debit into the Committee's bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Bank: Bendigo Bank; Account No: 188010037; BSB No: 633000; Include your surname in the reference section. For further information on our legacy projects or to make a donation please contact either Lee Tarlamis 0411553009 or Jim Claven 0409402388M

Monday 3 October 2016

Port Melbourne Presention - Port Phillip, the Anzacs and Lemnos 1915



Photo Paul Sougleris 2016

A big thank you to all who attend my presentation on Lemnos and Gallipoli last night at the historic Port Melbourne Town Hall - around 50 people braved a cold and rainy night to attend my lecture at the meeting of the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society. 
My presentation outlined some of  the connections between Port Philip and Lemnos - through the stories of Nurse Clarice Daley and Clara Potter of Elwood and Port Melbourne respectively, and the diggers, including Albert Park's Corporal George Finlay Knight, South Melbourne's Driver Ralph Berryman, St Kilda's Trooper Albert Bent, Albert Park's 3rd AGH Medical Officer Captain Arthur Mitchell and Middle Park's Lieutenant George Makin - to name a few! 
It was a special pleasure for me to address the Society as our Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial is nearby in Albert Park.
I mentioned our proposal to name the location of our memorial, Lemnos Square or Reserve, as well as the need to create greater awareness of the significant dual burial of Lemnos veterans Clarice Daley and her husband Ernest Lawrence at St Kilda Cemetery. We have raised the latter issue with the City of port Phillip and the suggestion as made for us to approach the Friends of St Kilda Library.

Photo Paul Sougleris 2016
Many members commented that they now know why the Memorial was erected and why it is located in the area. Many members expressed the desire to attend our future commemorative services at the Memorial. Thanks to all at the Society for the invitation, including Pat Grainger and Janet Bolitho. And thanks to all who supported our Committee by buying our commemorative badges! Thanks also to our Committee member Deb Elizabeth Stewart as well as Paul Soug of the Greek Anzac's group for attending.
Photo Paul Sougleris 2016
Photo Paul Sougleris 2016
Port Phillip Anzac Commemoration Committee
During the meeting I was informed of the Port Phillip Anzac Commemoration Committee.
This small consultative committee (of which our Committee member and local resident Lambis Englezos is a member) which meets with the City of Port Phillip. It takes an interest in what is happening locally in relation to WW1 commemoration and suggest things that might be done. 
I was informed that it supports our Committee proposal to name the location of our Memorial Lemnos Square or Reserve, as well as the erection of a commemorative panel for Albert Jacka, who served on Lemnos in 1915 (such as the one for the Gallipoli Lemnos memorial), with its possible location in a prominent location such as the foreshore promenade on Jacka Boulevard.
 
Honorata departing Port Melbourne 1916. Source: State Library of Victoria
Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society
Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society website contains much useful and original material detailing the connection of the area to the Anzacs. Below is some of the material available and links to find it.
Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Report
Read the report on our unveiling of our memorial by the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society’s Janet Bolitho by clicking on the link here.
New Research – The Diggers of Heath Street Port Melbourne
Read about this great piece of research carried out by Barb Mullen & Chris Griffiths, detailing how WW1 affected one street in Port Melbourne - 35 men from Heath Street, with less than 90 homes, volunteered. The research shows that the war had a devastating effect on the men - 3 did not return, 3 had serious mental health problems, 1 was an amputee, 27 others were discharged as medically unfit for any service and 1 escaped physically unscathed. Testimony to the terrible effects of the war and its impact locally. Read this story by clicking here.
New Research – The Anzacs of Port Melbourne
For all you researchers out there, here is a great website created by the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society on port Melbourne's links to the First World War. Lots of great information. Following the link by clicking here.
Jim Claven
Secretary
Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee



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