It’s that time of the year again as Greek communities across Australia prepare to celebrate Greek Independence Day on March 25.
With many events planned, The Greek Herald has the lowdown on what you can attend over the next few days to mark the national day.
New South Wales:
In New South Wales, celebrations kick off this Friday, March 17 at 6pm with a flag-raising ceremony organised by AHEPA NSW Inc in cooperation with Bayside Council. The ceremony will be held in the forecourt of Bayside Council and will be followed by a celebration at AHEPA NSW Hall in Rockdale from 7pm.
The event will feature performances by students of Earlwood Public School and the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney Dancers.
The following week on Sunday, March 26, the Inter-Communities Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) are inviting people to a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony at Sydney’s Martin Place cenotaph at 12pm.
This will be followed by formalities and entertainment at Sydney Town Hall from 1pm to 3pm. The meeting place for this new event is St Andrews Square.
Victoria:
In Victoria on Sunday, March 19, the Victorian Council Greek National Day and South Melbourne Football Club are hosting the 2023 Greek National Day parade from 1pm. The parade will be held for the first time ever at Albert Park’s Lakeside Stadium.
Next on Friday, March 24 at 6pm, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) is holding the 2nd Annual Grecian Ball at the Park Hyatt Melbourne. The annual Grecian Ball is held in commemoration of Greek Independence Day and as a celebration of the Greek contribution to Australia’s multicultural society.
The gala event will be attended by leading members of the Victorian Greek community and will feature a performance by internationally-acclaimed singer, Eleftheria Arvanitaki.
On Saturday, March 25, the Hellenic RSL Sub Branch in Melbourne is also marking Greek Independence Day. The commemorations will begin with a church service at St Eustathios Greek Orthodox Church in South Melbourne at 9.30am, followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Australian Hellenic Memorial at 12pm.
South Australia:
In South Australia, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (Archdiocesan District of Adelaide) will hold an official celebration of Greek Independence Day on Sunday, March 26.
At 7.30am, there will be a Matins, Divine Liturgy and Doxology in the Archiepiscopal Church of Saint Sophia, Bowden, president over by Bishop Silouan of Sinope.
At 12.30pm, there will be a Memorial Service at the War Memorial, North Terrace, officiated by Bishop Silouan. Afterwards, there will be a wreath laying ceremony followed by a parade to the Torrens Parade Ground. At the Torrens Parade Ground, there will be songs, poems and traditional dance performances by students.
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia Inc. (GOCSA) will also be commemorating Greek Independence Day on Sunday, March 26 from 11am. The event will be held at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel in Adelaide and will involve wreath laying, as well as a number of school presentations.
Australian Capital Territory:
The Greek Community of Canberra (GCC) have organised a number of events across the city to mark Greek Independence Day this year.
Until Tuesday, March 28, 40 Greek flags are flying proudly around Kings Avenua, Petrie Plaza, Garema Place, Vernon Circle, and everywhere in Gold Creek.
On Saturday, March 25, a number of buildings across Canberra will also be lit up in blue including the Hellenic Club of Canberra, the Carillon Bell Tower, the National Museum of Australia and Old Parliament House.
On Sunday, March 26, the GCC will hold a church service at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Canberra presided over by Bishop Bartholomew of Charioupolis and Father Petros. Following the service, there will be a wreath laying ceremony at the Hellenic War Memorial.
The day’s events will conclude with the Greek National Day Luncheon at the Hellenic Club of Canberra from 12.45pm. There will be a live band performing and dances by the Canberra Hellenic Dancers.
