The Labor Government has committed $10 million to create a Greek Cultural Precinct at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote according to an announcement made earlier today.
“The team that Anthony Albanese leads have been listening to the local Greek community and are committed to delivering on important infrastructure that will serve as an important example for how we preserve and celebrate the culture of our many diasporas,” said Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles.
“Melbourne is a truly multicultural society and Labor is proud to play our part in supporting the local community in sharing and celebrating our diversity.”
Member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, said that “this is an exciting project that is coming to fruition almost three decades after the idea was first envisaged.”
“Australia’s unique multiculturalism, as shaped by our migration history, gifts our country a wealth of diverse cultural inheritance. Our commitment will bring this together for the benefit of all communities,” Ms Vamvakinou said.
Read the full announcement below:
An Albanese Labor Government will commit $10 million to create a Greek Cultural Precinct at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin in Northcote.
This redevelopment aims to be a model for how “we can preserve, harness, and celebrate culture, history and language for diaspora communities across Australia.”
Labor and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s vision for the redevelopment will include a gallery, amphitheatre and bilingual early learning and education centre – which will help preserve and teach Greek culture and history.
Decades have passed from the major wave of Greek migration after WWII. However, we know Greek culture continues to thrive in Melbourne. This precinct will ensure the Greek community’s ongoing contribution to multiculturalism can continue to be shared by all within the broader Australian community.
The project will be shovel ready in 2023, with the aim of completion to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the Australian Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 2024.
An Albanese Labor Government will work together with multicultural and faith communities to ensure we keep Australia’s unique multiculturalism alive for generations to come.
