This July, Greek and Cypriot communities across Australia will solemnly commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus — a brutal military operation that began on 20 July 1974, shattering the peace of the island and leaving behind a legacy of loss, displacement, and division that continues to this day.
In cities from Melbourne and Sydney to Adelaide, Brisbane, and Darwin, communities will gather to honour the memory of the more than 6,000 Greek Cypriots who were killed or went missing, and the 200,000 civilians who were violently uprooted from their ancestral homes. The events of 1974 not only marked the violent partition of Cyprus but also triggered a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis that remains unresolved five decades later.
The commemorative program across Australia this year includes memorial services, wreath-laying ceremonies, cultural forums, and art exhibitions — all united by a single message: “We do not forget. We demand justice.” Special guest Andreas Grigoriou, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Head of Administration for the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus, will travel to Australia to participate in the tributes and stand in solidarity with the diaspora.
Victoria – Statewide Services and Cultural Program
Coordinated by SEKA Victoria in partnership with local Cypriot associations, Victoria’s events will highlight both remembrance and education.
- Saturday, 19 July 2025, 2:00 p.m.: A minute’s silence in memory of the fallen will be observed on radio station 3XY Radio Hellas.
- Please tune in to the Cyprus Program presented by Labrini Christopher Lambrou from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- There will be a minute of silence and we kindly request that you light a candle in your homes in memory of the
- fallen fighters for the Republic of Cyprus and against the Turkish invasion.
- Sunday, July 20: Services across churches, with a central event at St Eustathius Church, South Melbourne at 10am.
- 11:30am: Wreath laying at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, Birdwood Avenue.
- 3pm: Cultural event at the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria, Brunswick East.
The program includes the art exhibition “The Beauty of the Homeland is Not Diminished by Invaders”, the launch of the bilingual children’s book “Getting to Know Cyprus”, and a musical tribute by Evangelia Baxa and Georgios Sevastakis. Mr Grigoriou will deliver the keynote address.
New South Wales – Memorial and Public March in Sydney
Organised by SEKA NSW, Sydney’s commemorations will take place on Sunday, 27 July.
- 9:30am: Church service at The Annunciation of Our Lady, Redfern.
- 11am: Speeches and refreshments in the church hall.
- 1:30pm: Wreath laying at the Cenotaph, Martin Place, with participation from Mr Grigoriou. Out of respect for the war memorial, no placards or banners are permitted.
Free bus transportation will be provided from The Cyprus Club, Stanmore.
South Australia – “51 Years of Occupation – Never Forget”
In Adelaide, the Cyprus Community of SA and SEKA SA will present a series of memorials under the theme “51 Years of Occupation – Never Forget.”
- Sunday, July 20: Memorial at Prophet Elias Church, Norwood at 10am, followed by a wreath laying at 1pm at the Cyprus Community Centre, Welland.
- Tuesday, July 22: A community forum at 7pm at the Welland centre will focus on the historical roots and ongoing consequences of the invasion.
Queensland – Memorial, Wreath Laying and Reception
The Cypriot Community Association of Queensland will host their memorial on Friday, 18 July, beginning at 6pm at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George, South Brisbane. A wreath-laying will follow at the Hellenic RSL Memorial, and a reception will be held at Cyprus House, West End.
These events pay tribute to more than 6,000 victims and those forcibly displaced, while drawing attention to the continued presence of approximately 40,000 Turkish troops on the island—a reality that defies international law and UN resolutions.
Western Australia – Commemoration Through Culture and Film
In Perth, the Cypriot community will host events on Sunday, 27 July:
- Church Service: Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church, followed by wreath laying at Kings Park War Memorial, 12:30pm.
- 3pm: Documentary screening at Event Cinemas Innaloo featuring Two Homelands and Ghost Town—both exploring the trauma of invasion and exile. Tickets available via TryBooking.
Northern Territory – Darwin Remembers
The Cyprus Community of the NT will hold their memorial on Sunday, 20 July, starting with a church service at Saint Nicholas, Darwin at 9am, followed by wreath laying at the Cyprus Community Centre, Marrara. The service will also honour Archbishop Makarios, Cyprus’s first president, whose leadership during the 1960s and survival of the 1974 coup remain central to modern Cypriot history.
More Than Memory
Fifty-one years on, the trauma of 1974 is not relegated to the past—it lives on in the hearts of survivors, the families of the missing, and the generations raised in the shadow of occupation. This year’s commemorations across Australia are not just acts of remembrance; they are acts of resistance—reaffirming a collective demand for reunification, human rights, and lasting peace in Cyprus.
For more information, contact your local Cypriot Community Association or SEKA branch.
