The Canterbury-Bankstown Council has voted to raise the Greek flag annually at sites in Earlwood, Campsie, and Bankstown to mark OXI Day (28 October) and Greek Independence Day (25 March), following a motion put forward by Councillor Barbara Coorey during last week’s Council meeting.
Clr Coorey’s motion paid tribute to Greece’s historic defiance of fascism in 1940 when Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas responded “No” (“ΟΧΙ”) to Mussolini’s demand to occupy Greece.
“Today, we stand against totalitarianism; today, we stand for independence,” her background statement reads, noting the significance of the day to Canterbury-Bankstown’s large Hellenic community – particularly in Earlwood, where nearly a third of residents are of Greek or Cypriot heritage.
The motion was carried as a matter by exception, meaning it was approved without debate as part of a bloc of uncontested items. Council minutes confirm the resolution was moved by Clr Abu-Samen and seconded by Clr Cahill, passing unanimously.
Under the decision, the Greek flag will now be raised each year outside the Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre, as well as at Council’s service centres in Campsie and Bankstown, in recognition of the enduring contribution of the Greek Australian community and the shared values of freedom and democracy that OXI Day and Independence Day represent.
The Council’s CEO noted that any costs associated with the flag raising would be minimal and absorbed within the existing operational plan.
