By Ikaros Kyriakou.
The campaign to preserve Sydney Olympic Park’s Stockroute Park and its iconic Discobolus sculpture has gained further momentum with the launch of a petition by Greek Australian community member, Costa Dantos.
A long-time supporter of Greek Australian heritage initiatives, Dantos has been actively involved in projects that celebrate and preserve Greek culture in Australia. The petition, hosted on Change.org, is calling for urgent action to protect the cultural landmark from demolition under the NSW Government’s Draft Masterplan 2050.
As previously reported by The Greek Herald, Stockroute Park was established as a tribute to the Greek contribution to the Olympic Games, featuring the renowned Discobolus sculpture by artist Robert Owen and mature olive trees donated by the Greek Australian community.
The park, funded entirely by Greek Australians with support from international Greek organisations and the Greek government, forms part of the “Hellenic Tribute Trilogy,” commemorating the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, and Athens 2004 Games.
Dantos’ petition urges the NSW Government and relevant authorities to reconsider the Masterplan’s proposal to redevelop the site. “Stockroute Park is more than just a green space; it represents a unique cultural and historical link between Greece and Australia. We cannot allow this legacy to be erased,” the petition states.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Dantos explained what motivated him to take action. “Last Sunday I was told about the park at a recent Greek event… I suggested they do an online petition too where they asked me to do it as they did not know how to. Not long after I did it as I felt sick putting it off.”
He emphasised the importance of gathering more signatures, stating, “I hope for significant numbers of people to sign the online petition and then send it to all relevant politicians and government bodies to ensure the park is protected in full.”
Community support for the petition has extended beyond the Greek-Australian community. “Everyone has been supportive, not just Greeks but non-Greeks too, for the protection of the open space as after all, parks are for everyone,” Dantos said. He urged more people to sign the petition despite the minor inconvenience of logging into Change.org.
“Without the actual signature, verbal or written support elsewhere does not achieve much at all for the park’s protection.”
Dantos also addressed the NSW Government and decision-makers directly, calling for greater respect for the park’s significance. “The park was donated by the Greeks out of goodwill and thus should be respected much more than how it is being currently treated. I do have hopes that this was just an oversight and it will be decided for the park to be protected.” However, he warned that if the Masterplan proceeds as is, it would be “a big slap in the face to us.”
The petition follows growing calls from community leaders, including former Randwick City Mayor John Procopiades, who has appealed directly to NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig MP. Minister Hoenig has since raised the issue with NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully MP, expressing concern over the lack of recognition given to the park’s heritage.
The NSW Government’s Draft Masterplan 2050 aims to transform Sydney Olympic Park into a mixed-use precinct, raising fears that heritage sites like Stockroute Park will be lost in the process. Community members had until November 25 to submit feedback on the plan, and with the decision-making process still ongoing, campaigners hope that the petition will reinforce public opposition to the proposed changes.
Supporters of the campaign are encouraged to sign the petition at Change.org and share it widely to ensure Stockroute Park remains a lasting tribute to Greek heritage in Australia.
As the fight to save the park continues, the Greek-Australian community remains determined to protect its cultural legacy, demonstrating the importance of community action in shaping the future of heritage preservation in Australia.
