The annual event commemorates the participation of Czechoslovak compatriots who have fought alongside Australian and Allied forces on various world fronts over the course of more than 100 years. The Ambassador and the President of the Australian Slovak Association in Victoria, Ivan Kovarčík, laid wreaths and flowers on behalf of the Czech and Slovak communities. The ceremony was also attended by an almost 100-year-old veteran and the last living Legionnaire in Australia, Mr. Jiří Švengr. The ceremony was followed by a social part of the event in the so-called Western Gallery inside the memorial itself. A video of the wreath-laying ceremony is available for viewing on YouTube at this link. 

Ambassador Tyrer also had the opportunity to attend a lunch with authentic Czech cuisine at the nearby Czech National House. Among other things, a newly renovated dining room in the style of a medieval tavern was recently opened there. The Ambassador also had the opportunity to meet with the leadership of the Sokol Melbourne, the Czechoslovakian organisation, and to see the lower hall of the building, which is styled as a jazz clubhouse. During the lunch, the Ambassador also had discussions with the Director of DFAT Victoria, Tim Kane, and the Secretary to the Premier of Victoria, Rob Holland, who is responsible for international relations and trade

Lunch was followed by a tour of the exhibition of Czech and Slovak national dresses in the monumental building of the Domov Gallery. It is a unique display of 22 dresses and more than 80 folklore items from different regions of Bohemia, Moravia, Slovakia and Vojvodina. Most of them come from the private collection of Czech-Australian Ivana Jančářová. The exhibition is accompanied by photographs of doc Dr Kristýna Petříčková, a Czech designer and restorer of historical clothing who works at the Tomas Bata University in Zlín. The Ambassador had the opportunity to see the exhibition in person with the expert interpretation of the exhibition curator and costume collector Mrs Jančářová.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Canberra would like to express their sincere thanks to Honorary Consul Lence Allen, who was (as always) our integral and indispensable partner in organising the Ambassador's trip.

More photos from the visit to Melbourne are available on our Facebook profile HERE.