With an impressive event, the Australian Federal Parliament honored the national anniversary of March 25, but also celebrated the contribution of the Greek diaspora to the development of Australia, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
The event was organized on the occasion of the Anniversary of the Greek Rebirth and the centenary of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, by the Greece-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group, with Co-Chairs the country's Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Clare O'Neil, and the Federal Member of Parliament, Mr. James Stevens, and by the Parliamentary Group of Friends of Greece, with the Federal Member of Parliament, Mr. Eustathios (Steve) Georganas, as President and Senator Hollie Hughes as Vice-President.
On the occasion of the national anniversary of March 25, the event in Parliament was also dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Australia and to the assumption of duties of the new Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos.
This important event, which confirmed and sealed the strong bonds of friendship that unite Australia and Greece, was graced by the presence of the Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Albanese, and the entire political leadership of the country, including the Speaker of the Federal House, Mr. Milton Dick, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Peter Dutton, the Minister for Immigration, Mr. Andrew Giles, the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Ms. Linda Burney, State Ministers and many Federal and State Members of Parliament and Senators. The Greek State was represented by the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs of Greece, Mr. Theodoros Livanios, accompanied by the country's new Ambassador to Australia, Mr. Stavros Venizelos. Also present were the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Antonios Sammoutis, and a number of representatives of diaspora organizations and institutions from throughout the Australian territory.
Praise for the catalytic contribution of the Greek Diaspora to Australia's progress, as well as for the long-standing Greek-Australian friendship, were delivered by all the officials who welcomed the event. The Federal Prime Minister, Mr. Anthony Albanese, declared himself an "honorary Greek" and "a lover of all things Greek", while making special mention of the sincere friendship that connects him with the Primate of the Orthodox Church in Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, in whose honour he also hosted a dinner at the Prime Minister's residence on the evening of the same day. Equally, words of praise for the timeless and multifaceted contribution of the Greek Diaspora were addressed by the Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament, Mr. Peter Dutton, who at the same time expressed his appreciation for the person of His Excellency Mr. Makarios.
For his part, the Archbishop of Australia delivered an inspiring speech, referring in the introduction to the double feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821. He then linked these two important events with an equally significant event of ontological dimensions for Hellenism on the fifth continent, that of the founding of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia. His Eminence briefly presented the brilliant course of continuous progress that the Holy Archdiocese has followed during the one century since its foundation.
After the greetings were completed, the participants in the special event in the Great Hall of the Federal Parliament of Australia enjoyed a music and dance program, with sounds and colors from Greece, as well as traditional Greek dishes.
Source: Holy Archdiocese of Australia
