Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has concluded his official tour of Australia and New Zealand with a visit to Perth, Western Australia.
He was warmly received by government, community and church representatives, as well as local students celebrating Greek culture and heritage.
Strengthening diplomatic and community bonds
Loverdos was officially welcomed by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency The Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM, with the two reaffirming the long-standing friendship between Greece and Western Australia – a relationship continuously enriched by the local Greek community, one of the oldest in the country.
He also held meetings with Dr Tony Buti MLA, Attorney General; Minister for Commerce; Tertiary and International Education; and Multicultural Interests. The Deputy Minister thanked Dr Buti for his steadfast support of the Greek community, noting that despite its small size, it has made a significant contribution to Western Australia’s social, cultural, and economic life.
In addition, Loverdos met with Leader of the Opposition Basil Zempilas MLA, to discuss the Greek government’s initiatives designed to strengthen links and exchanges between Greece and the Greek diaspora in Australia.
Loverdos was accompanied by Ambassador of Greece to Australia Stavros Venizelos and Consul of Greece in Perth Eleni Georgopoulou throughout his visit.
Celebrating Hellenic heritage and education
During his stay, Loverdos visited the WA Museum Boola Bardip, where Director Alex Coles provided a guided tour, including an introduction to the museum’s reconstructed replica of the Antikythera Mechanism, one of ancient Greece’s most significant technological achievements.
He also met with His Grace Bishop Elpidios of Perth, who extended a warm welcome to the Deputy Minister.
Later, he was received by members of The Castellorizian Association of WA, the city’s oldest Greek organisation, with a 130-year history. President Kevin Kannis and member Stan Palassis shared the Association’s ongoing efforts to preserve and promote Greek language and culture – efforts that Loverdos praised as a testament to their enduring devotion to Greece.
The Deputy Minister’s itinerary also included a visit to St Andrew’s Grammar, a school under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and a cornerstone of Greek language education in WA. Students and teachers welcomed Loverdos with traditional dancing performances by the Year 4–6 group.
Commemorating ‘OXI Day’ and the ANZAC-Greece connection
Loverdos’ visit concluded amidst a “sea of Greek and Australian flags” at Saints Constantine and Helene Greek Orthodox Church, where he attended a Doxology for OXI Day, officiated by Bishop Elpidios.
The service was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony attended by Governor Dawson, Greek officials, and members of the local community.
The commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the historic bonds between Greece, Australia, and New Zealand – ties forged through shared sacrifices in times of war, from the early Greek migrants of the 19th century to the ANZACs’ Greek campaign and the Battle of Crete during World War II.
In his address, Governor Dawson reflected on the courage embodied by the Greek “OXI” of 1940: “Those actions inspired perhaps our greatest generation into further acts of courage and sacrifice.”
“Our leaders and forces of today, should they seek inspiration in uncertain times – those nations who still cherish freedom, liberty and democratic principles – should also look to what Greece did in 1940,” the Governor added.
A visit of symbolism and shared values
With his Perth visit, Loverdos brought to a close a significant tour that highlighted the deep historical, educational, and cultural ties uniting Greece and Australia.
His engagements with community leaders, educators, and government officials underscored the continued vitality of the Hellenic spirit in WA – a spirit that remains a living bridge between the homeland and the diaspora.
