Lunch hosted by Lemnos Local Authorities, Mudros Harbour, Lemnos
[E&OE]
Again, Linda and I are delighted to be here in Lemnos.
We thank the Lemnian people most sincerely for the warm welcome we have received.
Already, after just a few hours on the island, it’s easy to understand and appreciate the selfless generosity that your ancestors displayed more than a century ago to the Australian soldiers, nurses and doctors who were hosted here for more than a year.
I want you to know that on this trip to Greece it was very important to Linda and me that we came to Lemnos.
First, so that we could participate in the ground-breaking ceremony for the Lemnos Remembrance Trail.
Once completed, the Trail will be a significant landmark that will keep the indelible links between Australia and Lemnos alive for generations to come.
I know that that Trail will help bring new generations of Australians to Lemnos to discover our joint history.
Second, to convey to you — the Lemnian people — the gratitude of the Australian people.
The Gallipoli Campaign, and Lemnos's important role in it, play a foundational role in the Australian psyche and national identity.
The foundations of the way in which we view ourselves today as a people were built here on this island and on the shores across the Aegean Sea.
Australia's Commonwealth was established a mere 14 years before.
We were extremely young in the community of nations; inexperienced but optimistic – as were the men and women who came here.
The horrors of war we lived through inflicted the first scars on our nation's soul.
It was here, though, that what we call the Anzac legacy was born.
Our troops displayed courage, endurance, mateship and sacrifice — the characteristics we, in Australia, attribute to the Anzac legacy.
That legacy extends far beyond our military traditions.
We see it reflected in the Australian community and also in Greek-Australians.
That legacy is at the core of who we are; it has been shaped by the Lemnian people.
As Kavafis wrote in his well-known poem, Thermopylae, honour is due to those, like your Lemnian ancestors, who were living a frugal life on this island when the sounds of war and the spotlight of history descended on them.
Because, as Kavafis writes, they were ‘generous when they were rich, and when they were poor, they were still generous in small ways, still offered help as much as their means allowed.’
And, so, we honour them.
There will always be a special place set for Lemnians at the table of Australian mateship.
Due to its strategic location, Lemnos played a key role in the Gallipoli Campaign.
Back then, thousands of Australian soldiers found refuge from the fighting and received care and protection on your island. Indeed, my wife’s great uncle passed through Mudros when illness forced his evacuation from Gallipoli.
One hundred and forty-eight of them are buried in the East Mudros and Portianos Commonwealth War Grave cemeteries.
Linda and I were very moved by the commemoration service you organised this morning at East Mudros. We will visit Portianos this afternoon.
Australia deeply appreciates the way in which, year after year, you honour the memory of our soldiers and of our friendship.
Lemnos is sacred ground for Australians.
A further reason for coming to Lemnos was to honour the contribution made to Australia by the thousands of Lemnian people who migrated to our shores during the 20th Century.
Today, the Lemnians in Australia are one of the most vibrant Greek–Australian communities.
Associations such as the Pan-Lemnian Organisation in Australia, the Lemnian Association of New South Wales, the Lemnian Community in Victoria and many others are indefatigable ambassadors for your island.
They are with me in spirit today, and on their behalf I convey their best wishes to you all.
I can think of no better place than Lemnos to thank them for their contribution to our own wonderful multicultural country.
Your Excellency …
Linda and I again want to thank you and the Lemnian people for welcoming us to Lemnos and for your warm hospitality.
[Ends]