2023 has been dominated by Greek community events around Australia and The Greek Herald has been there to capture every moment. With the year coming to an end, we have selected just a few of our favourite community photos and share the stories behind them.
Estia Greek Festival returns to Tasmania after four years
The Estia Greek Festival returned to the streets of Hobart, Tasmania this year after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s festival comprised of three events: a Taverna Night, The Parthenon Marbles: The White Washing of History lecture, and the popular street festival (pictured above).
Thousands attend Blessing of the Waters ceremony conducted by Papa Lefteris at Rye
Thousands of people lined the Rye Foreshore in Victoria in January this year as suspended priest, Father Eleftherios Tatsis (Papa Lefteris), conducted the traditional Blessing of the Waters service.
The above photo captures the moment 20-year-old Lukas Kintidis stood proudly beside Papa Lefteris after retrieving the Holy Cross from the water.
Antipodes Festival: Two days showcasing Greek culture at its best in Melbourne
This year’s Antipodes Festival on Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street was bigger than ever before, featuring 80 stalls, 10 hours of performances and over 100,000 visitors.
From February 25 – 26, people queued in front of BBQ stands to not miss out on the Greek food. Elsewhere, kids had their faces painted and attended the ‘karagiozis’ shadow theatre. Greek flags, traditional costumes and dancing performances, as well as ancient warriors and Greek football teams were also on the agenda during the non-stop two-day festivity.
Record crowds gather as Greek Fest returns to Darling Harbour
Sydney’s Darling Harbour turned blue and white on Sunday, February 19 as record crowds gathered to enjoy the Greek Fest.
Amongst all the music and dancing performances, festivalgoers could be seen mingling with each other and browsing a number of stalls selling handmade jewellery, candles and religious icons.
Cretan Paniyiri at Peats Ridge takes Sydney by storm
Relentless rain, lightning and thunder couldn’t dampen the Cretan spirit on February 18 as hundreds of people gathered on a rural property at Peats Ridge in Sydney to dance a pentozali, sousta or malevizotis.
Over 500 people drove the 1.5 hours outside of central Sydney to Peats Ridge for the annual Cretan Paniyiri by the Cretan Association of Sydney and New South Wales.
A walk through Melbourne’s Greek community in Oakleigh
The Greek Herald journalist Giorgos Psomiadis made the move from Greece to Victoria, Australia this year and as part of his travels, he made a visit to the predominantly-Greek suburb of Oakleigh. During his visit, he spoke with Greek store owners about the area, showing how the “heart of Hellenism” continues to beat within the diaspora.
Greeks in Sydney mark Greece’s National Day with proud cultural display
From a wreath laying ceremony at Sydney’s Martin Place to a proud display of Hellenic culture, music and dance at Town Hall – Sydney’s Greek community came out in full force to celebrate Greek Independence Day this year.
People in the packed Town Hall were treated to a visual display of traditional Greek dancing performances by the Paroula Greek Dancing Group, Sophia Haskas Dancers, the Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney Dance Group, the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW Dance Group, the Cyprus Community of NSW Dance Group, and dancers from Pontoxeniteas NSW.
Victoria celebrates Greek Independence Day with parade at Lakeside Stadium
After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greek community gathered to honour the heroes of the 1821 Greek Revolution for the first time at South Melbourne FC’s Lakeside Stadium and not Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
The event saw families, unions, dancing groups, a wave of blue and white flags, people wearing traditional Greek costumes, and elderly people holding their grandchildren on their shoulders with pride.
New NSW Labor Cabinet official sworn in
The first full Labor Cabinet in New South Wales in 16 years was officially sworn in at Government House in April. Among the new Cabinet were Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis MP; Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper MP; and Courtney Houssos MLC. They swore their oath on the Holy Bible.
Cypriots march in ANZAC Day parade in Sydney for first time
For the first time in Australia’s history of ANZAC Day marches, Cypriots were invited to join the Sydney parade on Tuesday, April 25 in recognition of their service in past wars. On the day, members of the Cyprus Community of NSW marched under the banner “CYPRUS REGIMENT – CYPRIOTS FOR ANZACS.”
Outside Nicosia in Cyprus and London in the United Kingdom, Sydney became the third city to host Cypriot veterans and their descendants.
Kytherians honoured with bronze panel on Australia’s National Monument to Migration
The names of 192 migrants from the Greek island of Kythera have been permanently inscribed on a dedicated bronze panel on the National Monument to Migration at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
The bronze panel is supported by Frutex, Pallion and Poulos Bros Seafood, and was officially unveiled on Saturday, May 20.
Thousands embrace Hellenism at Burwood’s 10th Greek Street Fair
Thousands of people passed through Railway Parade and Burleigh Street in the Sydney suburb of Burwood on Sunday, November 12, and embraced Hellenism at the 10th annual Greek Street Fair.
The Greek Street Fair is organised by The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of St Nectarios in Burwood to celebrate and share the Greek cultural heritage and spirit with the local community.
Cyprus Food and Wine Festival returns to Sydney better than ever
The Cyprus Food and Wine Festival returned bigger and better than ever to the Sydney Inner West suburb of Stanmore on Sunday, November 19.
The Festival is organised by the Cyprus Community of New South Wales and was officially opened on Friday, November 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Archbishop Makarios of Australia makes historic visit to Greek Orthodox Community of SA
On Sunday, November 12, during a Pastoral visit to the capital of South Australia, Archbishop Makarios of Australia made a historic visit to Olympic House, where he met with and addressed more than 300 members of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA).
Archbishop Makarios was welcomed by members of the Administrative Council at the historic hall of the Community for the first time in over 60 years.
