The Victorian Government has announced that applications are now open for the 2026 intake for the Victorian Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize. Applications for the Prize close at 5 pm on Monday, May 11.
The Prize is open to Victorian students in years 9 to 12. Students from all backgrounds, from across the state, are encouraged to apply. To enter, students are asked to reflect on the Anzac values and how they model them in their lives.
To enter the Premier’s Spirit of Anzac Prize competition, students must respond to the submission questions in the online application form via the Grants Gateway platform and provide both a signed Prize 2026 Parent / carer declaration consent form and Prize 2026 School representative statement and declaration form.
Twelve students will be selected to visit historically significant Anzac sites and learn first-hand about the people, places and sacrifices of those who served in war.
Participation in the tour provides a unique cultural opportunity to deepen students’ knowledge of Australia’s wartime and peace-keeping history (especially the contribution of Victorian service people), as well as to connect with veterans and the ex-service community.
Through the Prize, recipients could take part in a fully funded overseas study tour in September to learn about the Anzac legend. It also aims to help build students’ confidence, leadership skills and a deeper understanding of the world.
This year’s Prize offers young Victorians the opportunity to join a fully funded study tour to significant war heritage sites in Turkey. Previous overseas tours have included visits to the Anzac sites at Gallipoli, as well as to those on the island of Lemnos.
Historian Jim Claven OAM has previously provided an introductory presentation on Lemnos & Gallipoli to prize recipients and their families for that year’s tour of Lemnos. Given the current international situation, decisions regarding the timing and location of the tour will be made with the safety of students and teacher chaperones as the highest priority.
Recipients will participate in an overseas study tour during the September school holidays. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing covers all costs associated with accommodation, transport, insurance, activities and meals. Financial assistance is available on request for students who need support for any additional related costs.
Teachers, principals, parents or carers are encouraged to pass this opportunity on to eligible secondary students they may know and who may be interested.
Given the strong links between Greece and Australia’s Anzac tradition across both world wars, eligible Victorian students of Hellenic background or with veteran connections to the Anzac campaigns in Greece across both world wars can consider making an application for this important and valuable prize.
After eight years of negotiations, the newly signed Australia–EU Free Trade Agreement is being hailed as a landmark economic win – but for Greek Australians and local dairy producers, one word stands at the centre of the debate: feta.
While the deal, signed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Canberra, is expected to deliver billions in economic benefits, it also locks in the European Union’s strict protections over certain food names – known as geographical indications (GI).
Among them is “feta,” a term long used by Australian producers, many of them from Greek migrant backgrounds who have made the cheese a staple of local food culture.
Under the agreement, feta will not disappear overnight. Instead, it will be subject to “grandfathering” provisions and a lengthy phase-out period. This means existing producers in Australia who already use the name can continue to do so for a defined period, recognising their established presence in the market. However, new producers will not be able to adopt the name, and over time, its use will be restricted -particularly in export markets, where EU rules will apply more strictly.
The outcome reflects a compromise after years of negotiation. While some names have been secured for ongoing use – such as “parmesan” and “kransky”, and “prosecco” for domestic wine sales – others, including feta, gruyere and romano, will gradually be phased out.
Despite the sensitivities around naming rights, von der Leyen emphasised the broader economic significance of the agreement.
After almost a decade of work – we can say: we did it.
We have concluded the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
“This agreement is set to add almost $8 billion to your GDP,” she said. “It will become easier for Australia to export to the European Union based on high standards.”
“All Australian industrial goods exports to the European Union will become tariff-free, and Australian citizens will have more opportunities to provide their high-quality services to the European Union,” she added.
For many in the Greek Australian community, however, the feta decision carries cultural weight beyond its economic implications. The product is not just a commodity, but a symbol of heritage – brought to Australia by generations of migrants who adapted traditional methods to a new homeland.
Albanese acknowledged this connection, pointing to the role of migration in shaping Australia’s food identity. “Whether it’s Greeks coming here and creating feta, Italians doing parmesan, or people from eastern Europe doing kransky sausages, those things represent a connection with Europe,” he said.
Yet despite that recognition, the agreement ultimately aligns Australia with European standards on origin-based food naming, prioritising the protection of regional identity over long-standing international usage.
For consumers, the deal may bring lower prices on European imports such as wine, chocolate and pasta, as tariffs are removed. But for producers of feta in Australia, it signals a gradual shift – one that will require rebranding, adaptation, and, for some, a rethinking of how tradition is carried forward.
Greek travellers to Australia have faced issues returning home after travel disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.
The Embassy of Greece in Australia advised on social media that Greek travellers whose visas have expired or are about to expire due to developments in the Middle East should consult the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. The department provides guidance and a dedicated link for visa extensions.
The Australian Government Department of Home Affairs advises that there are visa options available if the Middle East conflict has impacted someone and they wish to extend their stay. These include the skilled, family, student and visitor visa programs.
Staying longer in Australia involves applying for a new visa and circumstances will determine visa options. The website outlines “what you must do to remain lawful while you apply for a new visa. There may be restrictions on applying for further visas while you are in Australia.”
Melbourne will glow blue and white as the city marks Greece’s Independence Day, with landmark illuminations and a symbolic midnight flag raising bringing the spirit of Hellenism into the heart of Victoria.
From sunset on Wednesday, March 25, both Parliament House and Federation Square will be illuminated in the colours of the Greek flag, in a show of recognition for the Greek Australian community and its enduring cultural legacy.
The lighting had originally been part of broader discussions surrounding a planned visit by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and would have included the unveiling of Democracy Place. Although the visit has since been postponed, the decision was made by Victoria’s state government to proceed with the illuminations, ensuring the occasion would still be marked in a visible and meaningful way.
Victorian MP Lee Tarlamis welcomed the initiative, telling The Greek Herald: “I’m proud that this is another way in which we are honouring the Greek community, celebrating the enduring spirit of Hellenism.”
Tonight, the centrepiece will come just before midnight, when members of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, led by Chair Sophia Siachos and Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas, gather at Federation Square for a ceremonial flag raising.
Scheduled for 11:45pm, the moment is expected to carry both symbolic and emotional weight, as the Greek flag is raised against the illuminated backdrop of the square.
Not all landmarks will be joining the tribute. A source within the City of Melbourne confirmed to The Greek Herald that Melbourne Town Hall will not be lit for the occasion, as it has already been booked for lighting in support of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. A subcommittee of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day had been pushing for this inclusion, but to no avail up until the timing of this article.
Even so, the city’s skyline will carry a distinctly Hellenic hue. In the absence of an official prime ministerial visit, Melbourne’s Greek community, and the institutions that support it, re ensuring that the significance of Independence Day is not only remembered, but seen.
The trial over Greece’s horrific Tempe train crash was adjourned on Monday and will resume on April 1. The proceedings have faced multiple interruptions, including objections over courtroom conditions.
Held in the central city of Larissa, the trial was stopped soon after it began when defence lawyers strongly reacted as the judge read out the names of the defendants.
The lawyers have questioned the suitability of the specialty arranged courtroom at the conference centre hosting the trial.
The 2023 train crash at Tempe, in central Greece, killed 57 people. The train, carrying mostly students from Athens to Thessaloniki, collided head-on with a freight train which caused a deadly explosion. The crash revealed significant safety gaps in Greece’s rail system.
36 defendants, including a station master and railway officials, face charges which range from disrupting rail traffic resulting in deaths to negligent manslaughter and bodily harm. No political figures are on trial.
More than 350 witnesses, including survivors, victims’ relatives and railway workers, are expected to testify.
The trial began against a backdrop of protests and a nationwide rail workers’ strike, which they said honoured the victims and demanded accountability. Crowds assembled outside the court in Larissa, calling for justice and improved transport safety.
Investigations revealed that a European Union-funded safety system project, launched in 2014, was still years behind schedule when the crash occurred. Families of the victims have also accused authorities of trying to conceal evidence.
The government denies any wrongdoing but has vowed to deliver justice and fully modernise the railway system by 2027.
The Middle East conflict enters its 24th day and Iran has warned US President Donald Trump that it has “special plans” aimed at Trump and the US allies in the Gulf. This comes after Trump’s threat to strike Iran’s power plants.
A source told Fars News Agency that “Tonight, special events are planned for Tel Aviv and some regional allies of the US and Israel that will completely remove the hope of negotiations from the minds of the aggressors.”
The warning followed Trump’s suggestion that the Strait of Hormuz could eventually be jointly managed by himself and the Ayatollah when it fully reopens. This followed talks to end the war.
Despite Trump saying discussions were underway, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed that that “no negotiations” had taken place with the US.
Within 24 hours, Trump reversed his earlier threat to strike Iran’s power infrastructure.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said he would allow a five-day window for negotiations.
However, he later warned reporters that if the talks don’t produce results, “we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”
It was one of those Melbourne days where the sun doesn’t just shine; it sits on you. And still, they came.
Thousands lined Birdwood Avenue at the foot of the Shrine of Remembrance, fanning themselves and shifting from foot to foot in a desperate hunt for shade. The veterans came prepared with chairs, hats, and water bottles, while others had to learn the hard way.
“The trick is to drink lots of water,” laughed Angelica Spiliotopoulos-Angsiting, who marched with the Pallaconian Brotherhood and remained high-spirited despite being layered in heavy traditional dress.
The crowd was a living tapestry: grandparents stood beside toddlers in foustanella, and old friends collided mid-crowd. Teachers spotted former students, now parents themselves, bringing a new generation to the fold. It wasn’t just a parade; it was a massive, sun-drenched reunion.
It wasn’t just a parade; it was a massive, sun-drenched reunion. All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis.
A match for the Moomba parade in size
Arthur Andronas, treasurer of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, did the math. He estimated roughly 3,400 marchers and double that number watching. Fifty groups stretched 460 meters in two rows, with more than 7,000 people lining the streets, waving blue-and-white flags and shouting “Zito!”
“I mapped it out,” he said. “It’s a beautiful day, but the heat is a challenge. A lot of people were fainting.”
Despite the conditions, the energy held. Bands from Oakleigh Grammar and St John’s College cut through the thick heat.
The Epirus group led from the front, while the Manasis dancers provided a strong close, and in between more organisations than ever taking part, showing the diverse fabric of the Greek community. From Anemones to Frontida, including elderly participants in wheelchairs, each organisation acted as a vital thread in the community fabric.
Each organisation acted as a vital thread in the community fabric.
Pride vs. endurance
While the spirit was high, the logistics were tested. Groups gathered at 11:30 am, but the parade didn’t move until after 2:00 pm, delayed by a wreath-laying ceremony that ran over schedule. In that heat, every half-hour mattered.
“When our kids and elderly are fainting at the parelasi, something needs to change,” noted esteemed Greek lawyer Dean Kalimniou, posting on social media from his place in the queue with the Epirus group. “This should be about pride, not endurance.”
Nearby, two grandmothers from Kalamata shared a single folding chair. “To stand in the sun that long, you’ll faint,” said Katerina. “You find shade, or you don’t last.”
Her friend Thalia, walking stick in hand, nodded in agreement. “I don’t have children marching anymore, but I come every year. I just share the chair with Katerina.”
Two grandmothers from Kalamata shared a single folding chair.Others had to sit down, trying to find shade.
Past and present, side by side
For many, the day was a bridge to the past. “I came to Australia in 1962,” said Anthe Giannios. “My kids marched here. I miss the Greek scouts; we had so many back then.”
Yet, the next generation is carving its own path. Nicoleta Roma, now a mother and secretary of the Florina Aristotelis Dance Group, has been dancing since she was six. “Now my kids are part of it. That’s what matters,” she said.
Nearby, young Dimitri Vokolos wore an Evzone uniform passed from grandfather to father to son, three generations stitched into a single garment.
Kelly marched with Logos language school with her daughters Venetia and Irini, all three of them wearing traditional costumes. “When I was their age, I marched too. And I probably felt as tired as they did but I am left with fond memories. Now it’s them. And it means more here, at the Shrine.”
Year 8 student Maria came with her dance troupe, Pegasus. “It’s hot, it’s tiring, but I wanted to be here to celebrate my Greek culture.”
Teacher Sophia Panayiotou watched the procession with a smile. She once taught both Kalimniou and optometrist Leonidas Vlahakis; today, they are koumbari and pillars of the community. “My students now bring their own children. It’s beautiful,” she said.
New energy and legacy
This year introduced a modern lens to the tradition: drones hovered overhead, capturing the parade from above for the first time. Sophia Siachos, Chair of the Victorian Council for Greek National Day, explained that this was a deliberate move toward youth involvement.
“A clear focus of this year’s celebration was the engagement of younger generations. Their presence and enthusiasm affirmed the continuity of Hellenism in Australia and the responsibility carried by the next generation to preserve and reimagine our traditions,” she said.
There was a deliberate move toward youth involvement this year.
She also told The Greek Herald: “We’ve got young volunteers, NUGAS students, and new dance groups capturing everything. They’re donating their time, using drones, and building our Instagram and Facebook presence. To engage young people, you have to meet them where they are.”
At the heart of the Australian Hellenic Memorial, dignitaries watched the proceedings. Among them was President Steve Kyritsis, joined by his wife and two of his five grandchildren. “It was a long wait, but we’re here for them,” he said simply.
Steve Kyritsis with his family.Leonidas Vlahakis (centre).
Worth every drop of sweat
By the end, the crowd was flushed and drained, but they lingered. They chatted with long-lost friends and headed off for late lunches, the heat finally beginning to break.
The parade was vibrant, sometimes difficult, but deeply felt. It served as a reminder of what this community is at its core: resilient, intergenerational, and fiercely proud and holds on to its celebrations, especially those that celebrate freedom.
Despite the fainting spells and the blistering sun, one thing was clear: the Melbourne Greek community will keep showing up, no matter how hot it gets.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Mary Sinanidis
The Consul of Greece in Perth invited Greeks of Western Australia to attend several services on Sunday, March 22, to commemorate Greek Independence Day.
A wreath laying ceremony was held at the State War Memorial. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency the Governor, Hon. Tjorn Sibma MLC, WA Liberal Leader Basil Zempilas, and other dignitaries.
Wreath laying ceremony in Perth for Greek Independence Day. Photo: Basil Zempilas / Facebook.
Zempilas said in a Facebook post it was an honour to join the Western Australian Hellenic community in celebrating the occasion.
“As His Excellency put so well in his remarks today, Australians and Greeks have a shared history of fighting for the cause of freedom, significantly in the Battle of Crete during WWII, and in other conflicts,” he said.
Other events commemorating Greek Independence Day in Western Australia included a Doxology held at the Greek Orthodox Church of Sts Constantine and Helen, and a Fasolada Day lunch, organised by the Florina Association of Perth in association with the WA Greek Community Groups at the Alexander the Great Club.
A celebration for Greek Independence Day was held this past weekend at the St George Greek Orthodox Church in Brisbane. The service was presided over by His Grace Bishop Bartholomew of Brisbane.
The service included a Divine Liturgy and a memorial for the fallen. The service also involved a wreath laying ceremony. A performance by young children followed the service.
Greek Independence Day service at St George Greek Orthodox Church, Brisbane. Photos: Facebook.
Greek Independence Day was also honoured at the 2026 St Anna’s Greek Independence Day Celebration which saw the Honorary Consul General of Greece in Queensland, George Mastrocostas, attend alongside Bishop Bartholomew and Father Romanos Stergiou.
Mastrocostas spoke of the importance of seeing young students stand with pride as they shared their language, history and traditions. He noted that Hellenism is not merely something of the past, but something that continues to live on through the voices, learning and spirit of the next generation.
St Anna’s Greek Independence Day Celebration. Photo: Honorary Consulate General of Greece in Queensland / LinkedIn.
The Honorary Consul extended his sincere thanks to Bishop Bartholomew and Father Romanos for their presence on the evening.
He also warmly acknowledged Parish Committee President Sandra Voukelatos, Greek School Principal Maria Stavrinos, as well as teachers, parents and organisers for their dedication to strengthening Greek language, culture and Orthodox faith within the community.
Canberra’s Greek community is set to mark Greek Independence Day with a series of commemorations, highlighted by a historic first that will see the nation’s capital quite literally ring out with Hellenic pride.
On Wednesday, March 25, a service for the Feast of the Annunciation will be held at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church from 8am to 10.30am, marking the spiritual centre of the day’s celebrations.
Later that day, in a historic first, the Greek National Anthem will be performed from the National Carillon Bell Tower, with one of Australia’s seven official carillonists taking part in the tribute. The moment has been described as both deeply symbolic and a significant honour for the community.
The celebrations will extend across the capital, with several prominent buildings – including Questacon, the National Museum of Australia, the Royal Australian Mint and the National Carillon Bell Tower – to be illuminated in blue on the evening of March 25 in a visible display of Hellenic pride.
Commemorations will continue on Sunday, March 29, with a doxology service, followed by performances from students of the Greek School of Canberra, who will recite poems and sing songs. The program will conclude with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hellenic Forum at the Australian War Memorial.
Canberra had been expected to host Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as part of the celebrations this year. However, his visit to Australia has been postponed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
