The Greek community of Sydney will be able to attend a Greek Festival over the coming weeks, after the event was officially launched last night at the Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands.
There were a number of political officials and leaders of the Greek community in attendance at the event, including the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Alex Hawke MP, Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos MP, Member for Canterbury, Sophie Cotsis MLC, Member for Oatley, Mark Coure MP, Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper MP, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras, and Katia Gkikiza the Trade Commissioner (Australia) Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs as well as Independent City of Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas.
Minister Hawke, who was representing Prime Minister Scott Morrison, gave a small speech detailing his pride in his Greek heritage and also acknowledged the hard work of the Greek community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“On behalf of the Prime Minister and the government, it’s my job tonight to say thank you to the Greek community for all the work you’ve done in the last year during the pandemic,” Mr Hawke said.
“I couldn’t underscore how important it is that you’re going ahead with the festival this year, telling the story of Greek migration and staying together as a community.”
Member for Miranda, Eleni Petinos MP, who was representing NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Acting Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon Geoff Lee, also gave a small speech detailing how, as a Greek Australian MP, she’s proud the NSW Government has been able to support the Festival with $100,000 over four years.
Throughout the night, guests were treated to a sit down dinner with Greek music as a backdrop.
The 39th Greek Festival of Sydney, organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, will be open to the public from Friday.
