Melbourne celebrates 200 years of Greek Independence: See which buildings will light up

Flinders Street Station will be among the buildings to be lit up in blue and white. Photo: AAP/Michael Dodge

Melbourne.- The state government of Victoria is supporting the Greek community to hold events across Victoria marking two centuries since the revolution that led to the formation of the modern Greek state.

This week’s bicentenary will see 23 organisations receive a share of $200,000 from the Labor Government to run COVIDSafe festivals and events to celebrate the special milestone, delivering on a commitment made to Victoria’s Greek communities at the 2018 election.

The funding will support events like the 1821 tribute concert organised by the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, an 1821 bicentenary program at the Hellenic Museum and bicentenary lectures delivered by the Australasian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.

The Government will host a state reception later in the year to mark the bicentenary and will also celebrate the day of the event by lighting up many of Melbourne’s most prominent landmarks in the colours of the Greek flag.

Unlike NSW, no arm-twisting was necessary to light up monuments in the CBD. On Thursday 25 March, blue and white will adorn Old Treasury Building, Immigration Museum, Royal Exhibition Building, Bolte Bridge and Citylink Soundtube and Flinders Street Station.

Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence said “we’re so proud that Melbourne is home to the world’s largest Greek community outside Greece – and we’re thrilled to support local organisations to commemorate this important milestone for the country.”

She said, “I look forward to seeing the events the Greek community has in store – and I hope everyone in the community has the chance to celebrate, particularly after the challenging year we have all faced.”

Melbourne is proudly home to the world’s largest Greek population outside Greece itself, and almost 200,000 individuals of Greek ancestry call Victoria home.

After World War II, more than 160,000 Greek migrants arrived in Australia, establishing community groups, churches, newspapers, and schools – and the thriving community continues to make immense contributions to countless aspects of Victorian life.

Since 2014, the Labor Government has provided over $10 million in funding to the Greek community across various programs and initiatives.