Cretan Association of Canberra and Districts Incorporated

15/06/2026

🇬🇷 45th Cretan Federation Convention – Canberra 2027 🇦🇺
Save the date: 5–10 January 2027
Canberra will proudly host the 45th Cretan Federation Convention of Australia and New Zealand, bringing together Cretans, families and friends from across Australia and New Zealand for a memorable week of connection, culture and celebration.
From the CFANZ CBR Discovery Program and CFANZ Youth Program to the AGM, social events and the spectacular Dinner Dance, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Swipe through to view the full Convention Program and start planning your Canberra experience.
📍 Canberra, ACT
📅 5–10 January 2027
Accommodation demand is expected to be high during the Convention week and weekend due to major events taking place across Canberra. Visitors are encouraged to book their accommodation early to secure the best availability and rates.
More information, bookings and ticket details will be released soon.
We look forward to welcoming you to the nation's capital for a week of Cretan hospitality, friendship and celebration.

09/06/2026

And that's a wrap on our first Darwin GleNTi! On 6th and 7th June, two of our members represented the Canberra Cretan community in the CFANZ National Dance Group. The group was formed after being invited to Darwin by the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia (GOCNA).

Their first practice together occurred after everyone touched down in Darwin, where they performed a Cretan dance bracket on both days of the festival and volunteered at various stalls to assist the Darwin Greek community.

A huge thank you to GOCNA President Michael Koulianos for inviting the group to participate and for the warm welcome from all community members and volunteers over the weekend.

A big thank you also to Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand (CFANZ) President Emmanuel Mountakis for forming the group and making this trip possible for our Canberra representatives.

Events like these keep our Cretan culture alive and thriving!

Please enjoy some small snippets from the weekend, shared by Theodore Leonidas Merkoureas and Katie Merkoureas. 🇬🇷

07/06/2026

28/05/2026

We are excited to be part of the Darwin GleNTi this year, with two of our members participating in the CFANZ National Dance Group.
All the best to Katie and Theo as they take part in this wonderful experience. We are proud of you both and look forward to hearing all the news and seeing the memories from the event!

We are delighted to announce that the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand will be taking part in this year’s GleNTi Festival.

The history of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand began on 13 April 1980, with the establishment of the Pancretan Organisation of Australia.

Since then, the Federation has stood as the central body representing Cretan associations across Australia and New Zealand, with a strong vision of uniting Cretans of the diaspora and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Crete for future generations.

Through conferences, cultural festivals, commemorative ceremonies, youth initiatives, and community events, the Federation continues to keep alive the traditions, music, dances, history, customs, and values of Crete.

We are truly grateful to have them join us at GleNTi Festival, and we look forward to watching them perform and share the spirit, pride, and traditions of Crete with our community.

Major Event Sponsor: Tourism and Events NT

Greek Community NT - GOCNA
Darwin GleNTi

27/05/2026

Dignitaries, veterans and a visiting delegation from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff gathered in Canberra to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete.

FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/4fGhnDl

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

21/05/2026

85th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete & the Greek Campaign, Canberra

On 20 May 2026, the Cretan Association of Canberra and Districts commemorated the 85th Anniversary of the historic Battle of Crete with a solemn and dignified ceremony held at the Australian-Hellenic Memorial.

The occasion marked a special visit by a high-ranking military delegation of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, led by Lieutenant General Konstantinos Bouzos, Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, to honour the ANZAC contribution to the defence of the island of Crete during the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign. Visiting members of the delegation also included First Lieutenant Eleni Theodorou, Officer Lambrini Kokori, and Mrs Eleni Botsi.

The commemoration brought together distinguished guests and dignitaries from Australia, Greece, Cyprus, and New Zealand, including Mr Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece to Australia; H.E. Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia; representatives of the Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Defence Forces; members of the diplomatic corps; veterans’ organisations; families of veterans; and leaders of the Hellenic and Cypriot communities.

A Catafalque Party and members of the RMC Army Band added ceremonial dignity to the occasion, honouring the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who fought during the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign.

A particularly special and moving moment during the ceremony was the reading of the Ode by Tom Trobe, grandson of Battle of Crete veteran Les Cook. Mr Cook, who passed away in March at the remarkable age of 103, was remembered with deep respect and gratitude for his service and enduring connection to the commemorations over many years.

Later in the afternoon, Lieutenant General Konstantinos Bouzos laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in the Hall of memory, before attending and laying a wreath at the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial, accompanied by First Lieutenant Eleni Theodorou and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, Military Attaché of the Embassy of Greece in Canberra.

During the Last Post Ceremony, the story of Corporal John Kelly was read aloud - a moving tribute for delegates and spectators alike. Born in Sydney, Kelly fought across North Africa, Greece, and Crete with the 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion before being killed in action at Retimo on 22 May 1941 during the German invasion of Crete.

The Last Post Ceremony served as a powerful reminder of the enduring bonds of friendship and shared sacrifice between Greece, Australia, and New Zealand.

Lest we forget.

The Cretan Association of Canberra and Districts would like to thank the following organisations and individuals for their continued support of our commemoration:
• The Very Reverend Father Petros • Hellenic National Defence General Staff • The Embassy of Greece in Australia • The High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia • The Australian Armed Forces • The Australian War Memorial • Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand (CFANZ) • The Hellenic Club and Board of Canberra • The Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra • Canberra Hellenic Dancers • our MC, Andre Bobets • Families of veterans • leaders of the Hellenic and Cypriot communities •

📸 Photos courtesy of the Cretan Association of Canberra. Please credit the Association when sharing or reposting images.

20/05/2026

At 32 years old, Corporal John Kelly had already fought across North Africa, Greece and Crete before his life was cut short.

Born in Sydney, Kelly enlisted in October 1939 and served with the 2nd/1st Infantry Battalion. After campaigns in Bardia and Tobruk, he was deployed to Greece as Allied forces attempted to resist the German advance. Vastly outnumbered, the Allies were forced into retreat before evacuating to Crete.

There, at Retimo airfield, Australian troops fought in a savage airborne assault that inflicted devastating losses on German paratroopers. But the cost was high.

Corporal John Kelly was killed in action on 22 May 1941.

On the 85th anniversary of the German invasion of Crete, we remember Kelly and the thousands of Allied troops who fought to defend the island.

Photo: Paybook photograph of NX3877 Corporal John Kelly, 2/1st Battalion. P02466.014