The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Memorial
As we approach the 2015 Centenary of Anzac, there is one major commemoration which is in need of re-dedication – that of the role of Lemnos and Australia’s nurses in the Gallipoli campaign.
The first major campaign by Australian forces (and the wider Anzac Corps) in the First World War, Gallipoli saw 50,000 Australian troops take part with over 8,700 killed and 19,000 wounded. The significance of this campaign to Australia and its part in Australian history has long been recognised. What has not been sufficiently recognised is the critical role the nearby Island of Lemnos played in the Gallipoli campaign, and the specific Australian aspects of this involvement.
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee seeks to promote recognition and commemoration of this role in the commemoration of Anzac both in Australia and overseas.
The Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee has been working to establish a major permanent memorial to the essential role of Lemnos in Australia’s Anzac story and the role of the Australian nurses there during the Gallipoli campaign since 2011. Our Memorial is proposed to be erected as a major statue in Port Phillip, near where many of Victoria’s Anzac soldiers and nurses departed. We are glad to have received the support of the City of Port Phillip for locating our Memorial in their City.
Peter Corlett, OAM, Australia’s leading commemorative sculptor has taken on the task of designing and creating this important new Memorial.
Peter is one of Australia’s most well regarded sculptors and has already completed many Anzac memorial sculptures, including Simpson and His Donkey at the Canberra War Memorial, the Bullecourt Digger in Bullecourt France, Australian Light Horse WW1 memorial sculpture at Be’er Sheva, Israel and the Cobbers statue at Fromelles in France.
Donate Now – Help us make our project a reality
A major fundraising effort is now underway to make our Memorial proposal a reality. With sufficient community support we can make this an enduring monument and legacy of Australia’s Anzac Centenary in 2015. If you are able to make a donation, we would welcome your support via:
- Buying a Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial Badge. This beautiful lapel pin, features the image of Australian nursing Matron, Grace Wilson, crossed by the flags of Australia and Greece. They cost $5.
- Making a donation by completing the Pledge Form. Complete our Pledge Form and return to our Committee. Copies of our pledge can be downloaded from our Committee weblog page via the following link: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BykAwRt6w9_XdWNTZlNNVWRhMFU/edit
- Make a donation by depositing to the Memorial Fund into our bank account: Account Name: Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee Inc; Account No: 204299-020 BSB No: 941300. Include your surname in the reference section.
If you would like further information on the Memorial or would like members of the Committee to address your organisation please contact either the Committee Secretary Jim Claven – jimclaven@yahoo.com.au or Committee President Lee Tarlamis lee.tarlamis@parliament.vic.gov.au
For further information on the Lemnos Gallipoli Commemorative Committee and fact sheets on Lemnos’ role in Anzac and Gallipoli, go to the Committee’s weblog page via the following link: http://lemnosgallipolicc.blogspot.com.au/