Homenetmen Australia Scouts and Armenians outside of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Sydney

On Sunday the 25^th of May approximately 140 Armenian Homenetmen Australia Scouts, as well as a large number of Armenian-Australians marched from the Armenian Apostolic Church, in Macquarie Street, Chatswood, to the Armenian Cultural Centre in Willoughby. This event was to celebrate the first Republic of Armenia, which was announced on the 28th May, 1918, after successful battles in Sartarabad, Gharakilise and Pash Abaran.

Before the commemorative march, the church was filled with proud Armenians, some of whom participated in Holy Mass and undertook Holy Communion. Bishop Haigazoun Najarian also blessed the Homenetmen Australia Scout members, emphasising the key role that Homenetmen plays in maintaining the strong Armenian culture and traditions that are carried out within the Australian diaspora.

As well as the scouts, numerous representatives from the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Australia and affiliates of various fellow sister regional organisations took part to show their commitment and support.

The scout group created much momentum and awareness as they marched honourably and with their heads held high throughout the streets of Sydney. Once at the cultural centre, the separate scout chapters, including Homenetmen Antranig, Ararat and Navasart performed commemorative piece honouring Mayis 28 (May 28).

Despite the short tenure that the Armenian Independence which was attained in 1918 endured, this momentous phenomenon marked the first time that this small country stood on its own as a sovereign nation. The honourable legacy that was left behind still resonates within each and every “Homenetmenagan” and Armenians across the world, which was evident through the scout members and the .

Partratsir Partsratsoor (rise and let rise).

Scouts Performing at the Armenian Cultural Centre, Sydney


Armenians outside the Armenian Apostolic Church, Sydney