A Dallas-based community group for Greek migrants has been awarded almost $15,000 to produce a play commemorating the Anzacs.
The Greek Australian Recreational and Instructive League of Victoria Inc (GARILV) was one of five local organisations to share in more than $90,000 from the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program to honour this year’s Anzac centenary.
The volunteer group writes and presents plays with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and new migrants.
Athens-born Campbellfield resident Thekla Scarcella – a writer, poet and GARILV president – has written Australians in Gallipoli, which she intends to be performed in Greek and English.
Ms Scarcella wants to commemorate the Anzacs to mark the centenary of World War 1.
“It will provide a snapshot of the war and bring to life the historical significance of the Anzacs for Greeks and new migrants.”
The group’s $14,950 grant will enable the production to go ahead and fund a book and DVD on the same theme.
Other recipients include the Keilor Historical Society, which was awarded $25,000 to produce a book and DVD to raise awareness of the names on the World War 1 honour roll at Keilor.
The Turkish sub-branch of the Victorian RSL plans to construct a friendship memorial sculpture with $10,000 from the grant; the Australian Chaldean Federation of Victoria received $28,500 for booklets and DVDs; and $12,000 was awarded to the Flynn Group to host an event called Snapshots of War.
Federal Labor Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, said: “This year’s centenary of Anzac commemorates the sacrifices made by many Australian men and women to defend and protect our way of life.”
