Australia’s leaders: “We simply wouldn’t be who we are without our Greek community!”

Photo:Scott Morrison at the Greek Centre in March 2019. Photo: C. Deves 

Australia’s leaders are paying tribute to the country’s large Greek-Australian community with messages of support to the spirit of resistance which lead to the Greek War of Independence.

Good wishes and messages for the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence on 25 March have been plentiful, once again spotlighting the ties between Greece and Australia ahead of Greece’s Bicentennial.

Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “For millennia, Greece has given so much to the world –– in philosophy and democracy, science and architecture, art, sport and culture. A record of achievement that has enriched the world.

“Greece is a nation committed to the freedoms and liberties of democracy and equality. These are the values and aspirations that bind Greece to its friends around the world.”

Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews also paid tribute to “the enormous contribution of the Greek community in Victoria” which he said have been a “pillar” of the state “from the first immigrants in the Gold Rush to the many more who have arrived over the decades since” leaving “an indelible mark on our social, economic and cultural landscape”.

“We simply wouldn’t be who we are without our Greek community,” he said.

South Australia’s Premier Steven Marshall pointed to the offerings of Greeks in the sectors of architecture, art, philosophy and science and said “Greece’s desire to be a free nation in accordance with the principles of self-government was, and continues to be, a source of inspiration for other nations.”

Annastacia Palaszczuk MP stated her delight that “Greek Queenslanders are out in force today, two centuries on, celebrating this pivotal moment for their ancestors, their country of origin and for modern democracy.”

Tasmania’s Premier Peter Gutwein thanked the Tasmanian Greek community for their contribution to society. He recognised “the courage and tenacity of those Greek people who, on 25 March 1821, rose up and began the fight to regain their country’s sovereignty after centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire”, while adding that Australian ties to Greece “go much further back to ancient Athens and to the first known system of democracy which would pave the way for representative democracies across the world. Today, our Australian Citizenship pledge enshrines the principles of loyalty to a system of Government based on democratic beliefs, a respect for rights and liberties and the upholding of Australian law. We are indebted to Greece for laying these foundations.”

WA Premier Mark McGowan is said Western Australia was home to a “long-established and flourishing Greek community, one that has contributed considerably to both our character and our development”. He spoke of an “unbreakable bond forged by the involvement of Australian troops in the defence of Greece during World War I”.

Australia’s Governor General David Hurley spoke of the “outstanding Australians” he meets every day as he witnesses “great acts of kindness and compassion”.

“This richness of spirit is evident in the Greek Australian community – it should be recognised and celebrated,” he said.

“To that end, in this bicentenary year, I encourage you to consider nominating someone from the Greek Australian community for recognition through the Order of Australia. The Order is our nation’s preeminent system through which to recognise achievement and service to the community. Anyone can nominate someone to be considered and all Australians, regardless of their background or field of endeavour, are eligible.”

S: neoscosmos.com