Proposal to change SA street to ‘Hellenic Avenue’ rejected after community backlash

·

A plan to rename an iconic street in Mile End, South Australia, from Rose Street to ‘Hellenic Avenue’ has been abandoned due to residents expressing concerns over a potential loss of ‘cultural history’.

The proposal came from the Greek Orthodox Community and Parish of St George Thebarton and Western Suburbs, as a way to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence.

West Torrens council put the proposal out for community consultation, after receiving a written submission from the parish.

“We thought a nice way to contribute to the Hellenic celebrations, which are taking place all over the world, would be to rename the street where our St George Church and College are located, from Rose Street to Hellenic Ave,” rector Diogenis Patsouris wrote in the submission.

The St George Greek Orthodox Church on Rose Street in Mile End. Pic: PAULA THOMPSON/The Advertiser

The local residents of Mile End immediately expressed their disappointment in Rector Patsouris’ decision, claiming it as an act of ‘vandalism’ to change the street’s name.

“There is a great deal of history attached to the street’s name and it seems an act of vandalism to wipe it out,” a local resident, who did not wish to be named, said to The Advertiser.

Other residents spoke about the connection between the street name and prominent author and artist Barbara Hanrahan, who lived on Rose Street and featured it in her best-selling fiction and art.

The concerns led Rector Patsouris to withdraw the request.

“It is evident our proposal is not well-received by many residents within this area,” he said.

“In making the initial request, it was never the intention of the community, and the many thousands of families we serve, to upset our neighbours.

“We saw this occasion as an opportunity to further link the two countries, not to cause disunity.”

Local MP Tom Koutsantonis said it was disappointing to see ethnicity had been brought into the debate on social media.

“It’s a shame some people have sought to make it an ethnic dispute, when it really shouldn’t be,” he said.

“This is a matter for local council but I think it’s fair to say there’s overwhelming opposition (to the proposal).

“Surely there’s a better way to recognise the overwhelming contribution migrants have made to the western suburbs (without putting a cost on the street’s businesses).”

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Mixed reactions emerge in Greek Australian community over Prime Minister’s cultural remarks

Members of Australia's Greek community have expressed mixed responses to cultural remarks made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

Final countdown to the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools’ Olympic spirit

Excitement is building as the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools prepares for its first-ever Olympic Games, set to take place on Saturday.

‘Two Homelands’ documentary to screen in Melbourne and Perth for the first time

After a successful tour of Cyprus, Kay Pavlou’s documentary ‘Two Homelands’ has screened in Darwin and Adelaide.

From Sunday souvlas to family events: A meet-cute tale of two families becoming one

Traditions never really fade; instead, they go through metamorphosis. One that inarguably remains the same: the desire to love and be loved.

Victorian Liberals to focus on working with multicultural communities

On Wednesday, November 13, the Victorian Liberals hosted a media conference with members from the multicultural media.

You May Also Like

Former Greek royal palace to be turned into five-star spa-hotel

The famous Greek royal palace of Tatoi, which once housed the Greek royal family, is set to be turned into a new luxury 5-star hotel and spa.

Safety rebate doubles to help small businesses be COVID-19 safe

Small business owners and sole traders can now apply for a NSW Government rebate of up to $1,000 to make their workplaces safer.

TGH Exclusive: “Australia is a target market for tourism in Greece” says President of the Association of Hellenic Tourism Industries

President of the Association of Hellenic Tourism Industries, Giannis Retsos, says tourism will be “at the forefront of the battle for Greece's recovery.”