The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) held a grand celebration on Monday, October 28 at 7pm, marking the 84th anniversary of OXI Day at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba.
The event was attended by numerous dignitaries including the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis; the NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, Emergency Services, and Youth Justice, Jihad Dib MP; the NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety, Sophie Cotsis MP; the President of the GOCNSW, Harry Danalis; and numerous mayors, councillors, and representatives from various Greek and Cypriot associations.
Students from the GOCNSW Saturday Schools at Clemton Park and Connells Point performed the national anthems of Australia and Greece, followed by a minute’s silence in honour of those who gave their lives for Greece.
Following this, Mr Danalis spoke about the significance of OXI Day for Hellenism and humanity. Additional addresses were given by the Consul General, Mr Dib, and Ms Cotsis.
Students from the Clemton Park and Connells Point afternoon schools also gave poetry recitations. Alexandra Kyriakou from Clemton Park recited the poem I Do Not Fear Them, Vasiliki Gesoura from Connells Point recited Freedom, Ismene Tsiota from Connells Point recited The No of ‘40, Argyro Asargiotis from Clemton Park recited Hope, and Eleni Petrakis from Clemton Park recited Victory Shout.
The event concluded with a traditional dance performance by the GOCNSW dancers, under the guidance of dance instructor Paroula Thurban.
The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Artemis Theodoris, Board Member of the GOCNSW. The event concluded with a selection of refreshments and drinks offered to the attendees.
