Buildings will be illuminated blue and white while Greek and Australian flags will stretch across Canberra’s longest streets as Canberra Greeks celebrate 200 years since the Greek War of Independence.

In a press release by the the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, President John Loukadellis said the community has worked with various departments of Government in Canberra (both Federal and Territory) to assist in commemorating this occasion and, “ensure that our Hellenic heritage, culture, and history is able to be shared with all Canberrans.”

“This year on Thursday 25 March 2021 Greeks around the world commemorate and celebrate 200 years since the heroes of the Greek War of Independence won their freedom and allowed us to live our best lives today as a free people across the world,” Loukadellis said.

With the assistance and approval received from these various government departments, Loukadellis confirmed with much delight and gratitude that the following will be in place to help celebrate and signify this historic milestone

• Greek and Australian flags will fly in various locations across Canberra including:
  • Vernon Circle
  • Allara Street (across the foot bridge)
  • Nangari Street
  • Petrie Plaza
  • Gold Creek Village
  • Canberra Shopping Centre
• A number of buildings will be illuminated in Blue and White on the night of 25 March 2021 including:
  • The National Carillon Bell Tower
  • Black Mountain (Telstra Tower)
  • Questacon
  • Ian Potter House
  • The National Museum of Australia
  • The Hellenic Club of Canberra
  • The Greek Embassy in Australia

“As the proud President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, on behalf of my Community, the Hellenic Club of Canberra, the National Committee under the auspices of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, we thank everyone involved in making this possible and assisting making this 200- year milestones of Hellenic Independence a special and memorable occasion here in Canberra for all to enjoy.”

Χαίρε, ω χαίρε, ελευθεριά! “Hail, O Hail, Liberty”

In a statement this evening, NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has confirmed the Sydney Opera House will be lit on March 25 this year to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution.

“We are proud to share in this proud moment of history with the Greek community of NSW,” the Premier writes in a statement.

“As Premier, this is a fitting opportunity to thank our Greek community for their contribution to NSW and to celebrate the significant influence of Greek culture on the wider world.

“I wish everyone in the Greek Australian community in NSW all the best for Greek Independence Day.”

FULL STATEMENT:

READ MORE: NSW Labor calls for Greek flag to be projected on Opera House for Greek Independence Day.

*Warning: The following story could be distressing for some readers.*

A spokeswoman for the Victorian State Coroner has confirmed to The Age that the death of murdered Melbourne woman, Courtney (Konstandina) Herron, is now the subject of an active coronial investigation.

“State Coroner Judge John Cain received the brief of evidence on 5 February 2021,” the spokeswoman said to the media outlet.

READ MORE: ‘She died because of her kindness’: A mother’s life sentence.

“His Honour is currently reviewing the brief to determine the future course of the investigation and if an inquest will be held.”

Courtney’s mother, Maxie Antoniou, told The Age she strongly supported a public coronial inquest into her daughter’s death.

“Justice for Courtney is not over,” she said. “This is what we want, for her voice to be heard, how she got to be there and the systemic failures.”

Ms Herron was 25 when she was brutally bashed to death in Melbourne’s Royal Park by Henry Hammond in the early hours of May 25 in 2019.

READ MORE: Henry Hammond found not guilty of Courtney Herron’s murder due to schizophrenia.

Hammond was found not guilty due to mental impairment of the murder of Ms Herron in August last year, with a court ruling that he was in the midst of a relapse of his schizophrenic illness at the time of the killing.

On Wednesday, he was committed by the Victorian Supreme Court to a nominal term of 25 years at secure forensic mental health facility, Thomas Embling Hospital.

READ MORE: Courtney Herron’s killer ordered to spend 25 years in psychiatric hospital.

Her mother said she hoped an inquest could examine how flaws within the mental health and bail system had failed her daughter.

“It could make fundamental changes to the whole system and people and the processes will be held to account,” she told The Age.

“That’s the most important thing out of the whole process.”

READ MORE: Courtney Herron’s father demands justice for her brutal murder.

Source: The Age.

Labor is supporting the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW in its calls to light up the sails of the Opera House with the Greek flag, after several requests to the Government have fallen on deaf ears.

The significant milestone will be celebrated on March 25, acknowledging the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence.

NSW Labor Leader, Jodi McKay, wrote to the Premier on Tuesday, after the request from the Member for Canterbury Sophie Cotsis, the Member for Rockdale Steve Kamper and Member of the Legislative Council Courtney Houssos in December were ignored.

“The bicentennial celebration of the commencement of the Greek War of Independence is a significant milestone and calls to light up the sails of the Opera House should not be ignored by the Government,” Ms McKay said.

“Australia is home to one of the largest Greek diaspora in the world. Many Greek migrants call New South Wales home and the Greek Australian community is an integral and important part of the fabric of our nation.”

Ms Cotsis said: “Modern Australia would be unrecognisable without their contribution and this historic day is of major significance to those in Australia and Greek people across the world.”

“We’re seeing major cities like San Francisco and Boston illuminating landmarks to commemorate this momentous occasion. Sydney should follow suit.”

Mr Kamper said: “200 years of independence is an important milestone that must be recognised by the Government.”

Ms Houssos today asked Minister for the Arts Don Harwin if he stood by the Government’s refusal to project the Greek flag onto the Opera House.

Ms Houssos said: “Numerous cultural celebrations have seen the Opera House sails lit up.”

“Projecting the Greek flag on the Opera House sails would acknowledge the significance of Greek
Independence Day, and the contribution of the Greek community in building New South Wales.”

Penelope Katsavos, the woman bashed in a horrific attack outside Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox church in South Yarra, has returned home, according to 3AW.

3AW radio host, Neil Mitchell, received tear-jerking footage of her reunion with 83-year-old husband, Thomas, who has dementia. Penelope is his full-time carer.

In the video, Thomas can be heard crying as he hugs Penelope, while she looks into his eye lovingly.

READ MORE: Woman viciously bashed in senseless attack on steps of South Yarra Greek Orthodox church.

FULL VIDEO HERE.

Penelope’s daughter-in-law, Erin Katsavos, told 3AW the reunion brought her to tears.

“Because he has dementia we weren’t able to get him to understand where she was or what has happened,” she told the radio show.

“My heart was breaking into a million pieces because he was wandering around the house looking for her, and there was just nothing we could do.”

Penelope was opening the church in South Yarra at about 6am on March 13 when she was viciously attacked. A man grabbed the 78-year-old’s shopping trolley, punched her in the face, pushed her over and kicked her while she was on the ground.

The grandmother-of-six suffered bleeding on the brain in two spots, a fractured wrist and pelvis, as well as some severe bruising.

READ MORE: Penelope Katsavos recovers in hospital after attack outside South Yarra Greek Orthodox church.

In recent days, the family have launch a gofundme page which will help purchase “the disability aids that the hospital has loaned her for 6 weeks or things that she may need to alter around her house to allow her to live as independently as possible with her injuries,” the page reads.

“Any money above that will be donated to charities that she chooses.”

UPDATE:

A 36-year-old Box Hill man has been arrested in connection to the bashing of Penelope Katsavos.

He is expected to be charged with assault and theft offences.

Senior Constable Turhan Peker from the Stonnington Criminal Investigation Unit said police were putting all available resources towards hunting the offender. 

“It’s a callous and violent and horrendous attack on an individual who was going about her own business,” he said. 

Sen-Constable Peker wouldn’t say whether he believed the alleged offender would strike again, but confirmed no other assaults or incidents were reported in the South Yarra vicinity on Saturday morning.

Source: 3AW.