“This year feels different to me,” Brimbank Mayor Virginia Tachos said at the Shrine Forecourt, waiting for official proceedings to begin for Greece’s 205th Independence Day at the Shrine of Remembrance.
“There’s a deep resonance about what is happening in the world right now, and Greece has always stood for freedom. That’s why being here this year matters.”
Her comment set the tone. Because this year’s wreath-laying ceremony for Greece’s Independence Day at the Shrine of Remembrance didn’t feel routine. It felt heavier, more personal, and, at times, more emotional than usual.
By the time the ceremony began, the heat had already settled in. Still, people kept arriving, fanning themselves with programs, shifting between patches of shade, shifting from foot to foot, a couple of people fainting. Even then, the ceremony never lost its focus.
Because Greek Independence Day is not just commemorated. It’s felt.
James Cooke, Shrine Governor, welcomed the crowd to what he called “this wonderful and important service… in this sacred place in the city of Melbourne,” acknowledging the powerful blend of Greek and Australian memory carried by the ceremony.
Then came the prayers.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia delivered a message that moved between faith and history. “Freedom or death, Eleftheria i Thanatos, was not a slogan of political convenience,” he said. “It was the declaration that human beings are created to live in freedom, truth and dignity.”
He urged the crowd, especially the younger people standing with the flags, to carry that legacy beyond symbolism. “Never be ashamed of your faith, and never be ashamed of your Hellenic heritage… honour it not only by waving a flag, but by living a life worthy of it.”
Greek Ambassador to Australia Stavros Venizelos widened the focus, reminding those gathered that the Greek War of Independence inspired people far beyond Greece itself. He spoke of the sacrifice of Messolonghi and the way the revolution “transcended national boundaries,” before turning directly to the diaspora.
“The Greek diaspora remain the guardians of our centuries-old culture, traditions and language,” he said, a line that felt particularly powerful in a city like Melbourne.
That thread, between past and present, Greece and Australia, ran through every speech that followed.
Victorian Minister Steve Dimopoulos captured it in personal terms, reflecting on the migrant generation that arrived in Australia with little but determination. He spoke of the families who built churches, businesses, newspapers, community organisations and entire suburbs.
Then came the announcement that a site behind Parliament House will be named Democracy Place, recognising what he called “one of the greatest gifts that Greece has given the world.”
“Our story is Victoria’s story,” he said.
Among those in attendance were representatives across all levels of government and community leadership, including former Federal MP Maria Vamvakinou, State MPs Lee Tarlamis and Kat Theophanous, Mayor Nicholas Reece, as well as community figures such as Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis, highlighting the breadth of support behind the commemoration.
Across the political aisle, the message remained the same. David Davis, Liberal MP, spoke about the shared sacrifice of Greeks and Australians during World War II, warning that “the world is now a very dangerous place… we must be prepared to fight for our freedom.”
Senator Jane Hume echoed the deeper idea behind the day. “Democracy, that very special Greek word, that Greek idea, is not a privilege, it is our right,” she said.
And from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s message, delivered by Sarah Witty MP, came a softer tone, one of belonging. Greek Australians, she said, have become “integral to the story of our modern nation,” balancing a love for Australia with a love for their heritage.
Also present were Consul General of Greece in Melbourne Dimitra Georgantzoglou and members of the Hellenic community’s peak organisations, reinforcing the enduring institutional ties between Greece and Australia.
But beyond the speeches, it was the human moments that lingered most.
Hope Zorbas, who sang both the Greek and Australian national anthems, said the opportunity came completely unexpectedly. “Very out of the blue, actually,” she laughed. “One thing led to another… and now we’re here. I’m very, very honoured to do it.” Her voice carried cleanly across the forecourt, cutting through the heat and pulling the crowd together in one quiet moment.
Nearby, co-emcees Aliki Soulioti and Evangelia Staraki spoke about the push to bring younger people into the ceremony. “We’re both involved in the Greek community through dancing,” Aliki said.
“It’s our heritage,” Evangelia added. “We should be part of it.”
Sophia Siachos, Chair of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, said that shift to engaging younger people is deliberate.
“We want to approach youth on their media channels, and we also want young families… we want to make sure it’s worth people’s time,” she said, her cute daughter Olympia in tow.
“The Council looks forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead and continuing to deliver a commemoration worthy of the history it honours and the community it represents.”
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis
