LEMNOS – in ancient times it was the desert island in the northern Aegean where the wounded warrior Philoctetes was exiled by his compatriots until he became necessary to the war effort against the Trojans.

Jumping forward to 1915, its proximity just 145 kilometres away from Gallipoli saw it used by the Greek side in another great war, this time as a transit point, training centre and supply base, as well as a hospital and recuperation area for the Allies.

Also, in addition to the British and Canadian medical missions, two Australian hospitals with 130 nurses were established in West Moudros and a rest camp became a convalescence depot in nearby Sarpi. As TV viewers know from the tele-series “ANZAC Girls,” under extremely difficult conditions, Australian nurses managed to care for the wounded.

The Ambassador of Greece Haris Dafaranos is hosting “Lemnos – the Greek dimension in the ANZAC Centenary”, an exhibition curated by his wife, Mrs Eva T. Dafaranos of works by 14 Greek-Australian artists.

The show opens on Wednesday, April 29 in a private function at the Residence of Greece and will be open to the general public this weekend.

Mrs Dafaranos sees the exhibition as “an expression of homage on behalf of the 800,000-strong Greek-Australians to the fallen and wounded sons of Australia and New Zealand”.

“The themes chosen exhume human feelings in times of war, together with the impact of the suffering, the vibes of a friendly and peaceful land such as Lemnos, the colours of the Greek setting, the Australian heroines and the brave souls of the enlisted men,” she said.

The 14 artists are Karen Barbouttis, Nick Bonovas, Stephen Caldis, Olga Cironis, George Comino, Alexandra Danalis, Eyvah T. D., Stella Karydiotou, Dean Manning, Peter Michalandos, Ros Psakis, George Raftopoulos, Athena Xenakis and George Zindilis. Taking their inspiration from the Anzac spirit of sacrifice, the compassion and hospitality the island of Lemnos provided during the expedition, they also pay tribute to the Australian nurses’ heroism in the island’s field hospitals.

“Lemnos: The Greek Dimension in the ANZAC Centenary” will be open to the public at the Greek Residence, 115 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla on Saturday and Sunday May 2-3, 11am to 4pm. Admission free.