RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch RETURNED SOLDIER – “APOSTRATOS” Memorial Hall, 14A Ferrars Place South Melbourne Vic 3205 Phone (03) 9699 9844 July 2019 Dear Veterans, Members and Friends of the RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch Many commemorations were recently held at the Shrine of Remembrance. On 8th May, it was for Victory in Europe (VE) day WW2 (8th May), followed by the commemoration for the 1915 WW1 Battle of Krithia Gallipoli (this involved the 6th Battalion 2nd Brigade AIF), the 78th anniversary of the 1941 WW2 Battle of Crete (26th May). Continued on page 2 Anzac Day 2019 See the complete article on page 3 1 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Continued from page 1 From the President On the 6th June it was the 75th Anniversary of World War 2 D Day landings in Normandy France, the largest ever invasion undertaken by mankind. On this day two million troops waited in England ready to pour into France once a forward force of 150,000 established a beachhead. Greek Forces where also amongst the 16 nations that took place. And on a lighter note, our 2019 Mothers Day function was probably the most fun we’ve ever had at such an event. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Returned Soldier “Apostratos” Newsletter Steve Kyritsis OAM, President Date Milestones and Past Events 25th April 2019 Anzac Day 5th May 2019 Mothers’s Day at the Hellenic Sub Branch 1st June 2019 Hellenic RSL features historic WW2 film - Battle for Hill 731 Date Future Events 1:00pm Sunday Father’s Day at the Hellenic Sub Branch 8th September 2019 Monday OHI Day at the Australian Hellenic Memorial & Shrine of Remembrance 28th October 2019 11th November 2019 Remembrance Day 7:00pm Saturday Christmas function at the Hellenic Sub Branch with Omega band and 3XY radio 14th December 2019 personality Spiro Vitzentzatos Major Peter Mercoulias (Retd) visits Galilee Primary school In April this year, Galilee Catholic primary school asked the Hellenic RSL for a speaker to give an Anzac Day commemorative speech at school assembly. Major Peter Mercoulias (Retd) spoke to 300 students from prep to grade 6. Our branch secretary Major Terry Kanellos (Retd) organised poppies, which were sold by the children. The proceeds went to Legacy, the charity providing services to Australian families suffering after the injury or death of a spouse or parent, during or after their defence force service. Pictured are Principal Simon Millar with School Leaders Alex, Ali and Major Peter Mercoulias (Retd). 2 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Anzac Day 25th April 2019 Thank you to Maria Makris and Riki Kouskouris for supplying some of the 2019 Anzac Day Photos 3 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Veterans from three different conflicts. Left to right - Ken Tsirigotis (Afghanistan 2012), Konstantinos Kontossis (Korea 1951), Steve Kyritsis (Vietnam 1968) The Doukelis brothers made a pact to march every Veteran Papou George Makris would be proud Anzac day in memory of their veteran father Ignatios 4 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" 5 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Anzac Day 2019 – Back at the Sub Branch This year, the Victorian State branch of the RSL issued past President Konstantinos Kontossis with a certificate for his 50 year membership, the first one ever from the Hellenic Sub Branch. The certificate was presented by President Steve Kyritsis. Oakleigh Grammar with Captain Lionel Boxer and his bagpipes 6 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Vale We are saddened by the passing of the following members and veterans. The RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch would like to pass on our condolences to the Liakis, Tsimbouris, Scott and Zaffiris families Sub Branch members Maria Liakis and George Tsimbouris We will dearly miss them Jim (Sykiotis) Scott 1926 - 2019 In 1944, Jim enlisted in the RAAF where he flew on Catalina aircraft in Papua New Guinea. With his comrades, he helped rescue the wounded as well as repatriating the fallen. In July 2017, the Hellenic Sub Branch honoured Jim at the Steve Kyritsis’book launch “Kokoda” at the grand Queen's Hall Victorian Parliament House. 7 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" George Zaffiris 27-01-1945 – 24-04-2019 George was born in Rhodes Greece in 1945. In 1955, his family migrated to Australia in 1955 when he was nine years old. At 23, George was called up for military National service. In his own words, it was the only lottery he had ever won. In February 1968 he was attached to RAE unit (Royal Australian Engineers). In July 1968 George’s unit landed in Saigon Vietnam then moved to Vung Tau with 17 construction squadron. The later part of his tour was at Nui Dat. To his Vietnam Veteran mates, George was always known as “The Professor” because he taught Electrical subjects at RMIT Tafe college. 10 Rosemary Court Mulgrave (03) 9561 5922 8 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Hellenic RSL featured two historic WW2 films On Saturday 1st June 2019, the Hellenic RSL featured the WW2 Greek campaign documentaries - the Battle for Hill 731 and The Battle of Crete. Dictator Benito Mussolini 9 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Chronicle of the Greek-Italian War 28th October 1940 The Italian Army invades Greece along the Greek-Albanian border in the Epirus region. Greek troops retreat a few kilometers to occupy better defensive positions. 30th October 1940. Greek reinforcement troops arrive on the Epirus front. 1st November to 13th The Greek Army successfully repels all attacks by the Italian army. Greek Battle victories November 1940 include the village of Kalpaki and on the heights of North Pindos. Italian forces retreat to Albania. 14th November 1940 The Greek Army's counter attack begins. The wide front stretches from the sea between Corfu-Epirus to Lake Prespa. Italian forces retreat further into Albania. 21-22nd November Greek forces occupy the cities of Erseka, Borova, Koritsa and Leskoviki. 1940 8th December 1940 The 4th Infantry Division enters the cities of Argyrokastro and Dervitsani. 22nd December 1940 Units of the 2nd Army Corps occupy the town of Himara. 13th January 1941 The 2nd Army Corps occupies the town of Klisoura and the Trebesina Mountains. 22-23rd January 1941 Greek troops occupy strategically important terrain - Hills 717 and 731 in the Trebesina Range. March 1941 On the 9th March, Italian forces begin their spring offensive to recapture hills 717 and 731, in a bid to push back the Greek Army. The Greeks repel all attacks. By the 14th March, Italian casualties number 14,000 dead and wounded. 16th March 1941 The Italians cease their Greek offensive. CDC Tullamarine Pty Ltd (Formally Tullamarine Bus Lines) 10 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Mothers Day at the Hellenic Sub-Branch - 5th May 2019 Congratulations to Mrs Angela Polidoropoulos (left) and Mrs Riki Kouskouris. They were the first mother and daughter in the history of Hellenic RSL Mother’s Day events to both win the Mother’s Day bouquets of flowers for the most senior and youngest mother on the day. Angela Zandes – The meaning of Mother’s Day Zembekiko – This is how it’s done 11 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" Omega band and 3XY radio personality Spiro Vitzentzatos dropped in and sang a few songs with the crowd. Pictured from left to right are Manny Karvelas, Spiro and the winners of the Mother’s Day sing-a-long - Dimitrios Vergos, Dionisios Kouskouris, Zoe Sitzoukis and Aphrodite Masouras. 2019 Christmas Function Great News – Spiros Vitzenzatos has been booked to perform our at 2019 Christmas Function on the 14th of December and has even promised to do the Kokoraki song. Guaranteed to make you sing, dance and laugh. Make sure you book your tickets by calling Steve Kyritsis on 0400 571 800 or Terry Kanellos on 0414 209 674 RSL Hellenic Sub-Branch Committee The following members were voted into the committee at the 2019 AGM:- Steve Kyritsis (President) Terry Kanellos (Secretary) Dennis Patisteas (Treasurer) Emanuel Karvelas (Senior Vice President) George Kaltzidis (Vice President) Athanasios Masouras Theo Papas Bill Koutras Peter Stathopoulos Peter Mercoulia Dimitris Varnas Kyriakos Papadopoulos Themis Sitzoukis Con Katsambanis Nik Kydas 12 Please email any newsletter content suggestions including photos you may have to Emanuel Karvelas at "[email protected]" .