The Greek Orthodox School of Darwin brought their school community together for a celebration of March 25 for Greek National Day and the Annunciation of the Theotokos.
Students donned traditional costumes, recited poems and sang hymns. They proudly honoured the dual celebration of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.
In a Facebook post reflecting on the day, the Greek Orthodox School of Darwin said the atmoshpere was “warm and moving.”
They said it was great to bring together the Greek community to celebrate the mutual values of faith, freedom and historical continuity. The voices of the students acted as a “guiding light for future generations of our community.”
The celebration was supported by the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Australia, the school committee, and dedicated volunteers. The contribution of these groups, especially the volunteers, remains invaluable in preserving the school’s language, faith, and traditions in Darwin.
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) commemorated Greek Independence Day on Sunday, March 29, with a church service and festivities and brought together many members of the community for this celebration.
To begin the day, a Doxology service was conducted by the community clergy at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel.
Commemorations later moved to front of the war memorial in the church courtyard. A memorial service was held and was followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and the singing of the Greek and Australian national anthems.
Following the memorial, GOCSA Greek language schools participated in the festivities at the Olympic Hall. The festivities involved student performances of songs and poems. The school’s Dance Academy also performed.
The events were attended by official guests, community members and the GOCSA Administrative and Supervisory Committees.
Students of St Spyridon College attended the National Young Leaders Day last week at the International Convention & Exhibition Centre in Darling Harbour.
The college sent Year 7 to 10 Student Representative Council members and Year 10 Peer Support Leaders to the event.
National Young Leaders Day is an annual event organised by Halogen Australia since 1997. In this 20 year period, over 365,000 people have attended a National Young Leaders Day. The organisation exists to inspire and influence a generation of young people to lead themselves and others well.
Throughout the day, the students heard from a range of influential speakers who shared their personal journeys, challenges, and insights.
Speakers included Nick Hudson, founder of The Push-Up Challenge and a passionate mental health advocate; Maddison O’Gradey-Lee, the 2025 Australian of the Year; Catherine Laga’aia, an Australian actress cast as Moana in the upcoming live-action Disney film; and Jacqui Bell, the youngest person in history to complete an ultra marathon on all seven continents.
Students attending found the experience to be engaging and empowering. They also had the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership potential and the impact they can have within their College and wider community.
St Basil’s NSW & ACT marked Greek Independence Day with a vibrant celebration alongside staff and participants from its Euphoria Seniors Social Groups, bringing together older members of the community in a warm display of connection, culture and shared heritage.
Clients and carers spent the day celebrating through conversation, music and reflection, creating joyful moments that honoured both personal memories and the enduring legacy of March 25.
The event formed part of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to fostering wellbeing, inclusion and cultural identity among seniors.
Among the distinguished guests were Maximos Charakopoulos, Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of New Democracy; Filippos Fortomas, Chair of the Hellenic Parliament’s Special Permanent Committee on Greeks Abroad; Stavros Michailidis from PASOK; and Konstantinos Barkas from SYRIZA.
Recent March 25 celebration at St Basil’s NSW & ACT. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis.
The service took place on Sunday, March 29, the fifth Sunday of Holy and Great Lent, a day also dedicated to Saint Mary of Egypt.
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia officiated the Matins service and subsequently the Divine Liturgy, concelebrating with His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Kerasounta, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
A Doxology was then held for the National Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, and a memorial service for the EOKA Liberation Struggle (1955–59), on the occasion of the anniversary of 1 April 1955.
High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Antonis Sammoutis, was present at the memorial.
Archbishop Makarios highlighted the national anniversaries of Greece and Cyprus saying, “We honour our Cypriot brethren, who struggled for the liberation of their island, and we glorify God for the fact that there is a free Cyprus today.
“At the same time, we express our supplication and prayer that God may bless and help, so that the entire island may be liberated and united. May God grant us this great blessing, through the grace and intercessions of the Panagia, the ever-protectress of our Nation, to see our Cyprus free and united.”
Those present included the Ambassador of Greece to Australia Stavros Venizelos; the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis; the Secretary General of the Archdiocesan Council and Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Theo Penklis; and presidents and representatives of organisations of the Greek and Cypriot Diaspora.
The cross-party parliamentary delegation currently visiting Sydney for March 25 celebrations also attended. The visiting Hellenic parliament members included Maximos Charakopoulos (New Democracy), Filippos Fortomas (New Democracy), Stavros Michailidis (PASOK), and Konstantinos Barkas (SYRIZA).
A visiting delegation of senior members of the Hellenic Parliament recently met with community members and Greek Orthodox students in Sydney.
The cross-party parliamentary delegation currently visiting Sydney includes Maximos Charakopoulos (New Democracy), Filippos Fortomas (New Democracy), Stavros Michailidis (PASOK), and Konstantinos Barkas (SYRIZA), who represent a broad cross-section of Greece’s political leadership.
The General Consulate of Greece in Sydney hosted a meeting between representatives of Greek community organisations and associations in NSW and the parliamentary delegation. The delegation was accompanied by Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis.
The meeting covered a wide range of issues concerning Sydney’s Greek community, including taxation, military service, visas, and preserving Greek language, identity and culture.
The Greek ministers also paid a visit to the Greek Orthodox school All Saints Grammar where they met with the school’s teachers and students who presented musical and dance performances.
Greek Australian entrepreneur Mark Bouris has been hired by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey to lead a new advisory service for small businesses and will review the challenges they face.
This review comes after nearly 700 businesses collapsed this year, affected by a combination of the cost-of-living crisis, the conflict in the Middle East, and rising interest rates.
The NSW government is developing a new advisory service to replace the existing free Business Connect program. Small business owners will be invited to share their feedback to help design the new service.
As part of this process, the government is conducting a 90-day review into the challenges facing small businesses. The aim is to ensure the new service is “fit for purpose” to address the “modern challenges” facing the state’s more than 890,000 small businesses.
Bouris is a Greek Australian entrepreneur known for founding Wizard Home Loans, Yellow Brick Road and hosting The Apprentice Australia. He has agreed to lead the review.
Bouris has already started conversations with business owners and says he is “acutely aware of the challenges and pressures small business owners face, and the difference expert advice and support can make.”
“I’m really looking forward to helping shape the future of the new small business advisory service and am confident this can be a game changer for the business community in NSW.”
The government declared the review findings will “inform” the design of the new service. The review will also be supported by the Service NSW Business Bureau.
Treasurer Mookhey said he could not think of anyone better to help shape the new advisory service.
“I am delighted Mark has accepted our invitation to lead this review,” he said.
“There are more than 890,000 small businesses in NSW employing around 1.8 million people and the NSW Government is committed to investing in and supporting their growth and development.”
The review will be presented to the NSW Government in May 2026.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months. This comes after calls from the Coalition to ease fuel costs for motorists.
Albanese confirmed the measure will reduce the cost of fuel by 26.3 cents a litre and an agreement between states and territories will ensure their budgets won’t benefit from elevated GST revenue.
“We are announcing the commonwealth government will halve the fuel excise on petrol and diesel for three months. The halving of the fuel excise will be reduce the cost of fuel by 26.3 cents per litre,” Albanese said.
“We are making fuel cheaper today because we understand that Australians are under serious pressure.”
Albanese also encouraged city-based workers to use public transport to ease pressure on fuel supplies for the industries “that need it.” The Victorian government also recently announced public transport will be free across the state in April.
Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers also confirmed the government would cut the heavy vehicle road user charge to zero for the next three months.
The Treasurer said the measures announced today would cut the cost of a 65-litre tank by around $19 and would cost the budget $2.55bn. Delaying the increase to the heavy vehicle road user charge would reduce revenue by $53m.
“So this relief is temporary, it’s timely, and it’s responsible. It’s all about taking some of the edge off these high petrol prices which are putting such extraordinary pressure on household budgets right around the country,” Chalmers said.
He added that the fuel cuts are expected to lower headline inflation by roughly half a percentage point in the June quarter.
As part of the announcement, Albanese also introduced a national fuel security plan, endorsed by all states and territories at the national cabinet meeting.
The plan defines four levels of action: ‘plan and prepare’; ‘keeping Australia moving’; ‘taking targeted action’; and ‘protecting critical services’. Albanese noted the current measures sit within the second level of action, focused on keeping Australia moving.
Although each level has specific triggers, Albanese said the country is still “substantially away” from needing to move to the third stage.
Australians have had to navigate recent changes to aged care packages that have led a sharp rise in service costs.
Christina Tsobanis, from Melbourne, cares full-time for her mother and is also a carer for her aunt. She says she loves being a carer but it has been getting tougher, particularly since the new reforms were introduced.
Her 85-year-old mother, Sophie, who is living with dementia, has had her care reduced from about 26 hours a week to 14. Since November 1, she has had to cut back one of her showers a week and has stopped seeing her podiatrist. Tsobanis has taken on more of the responsibility herself.
There is no professional support on weekends or public holidays, as even a single visit would cost half of Sophie’s weekly budget. Added administrative restrictions also mean she can no longer get the best deals on essentials like continence pads as she could before the reforms.
“What I begrudge is the fact that the funding is basically being rerouted to the provider’s pockets as opposed to providing some flexibility of choice around how we can cost effectively manage the services that we need for mum to live independently and safely every day,” Christina said.
Around 300 guests, including community leaders, dignitaries and representatives of the Greek Australian community, gathered on Saturday, March 28 for a formal reception marking the 205th anniversary of Greek Independence Day.
Held at The Gallery – Events by Alpha in Sydney, the event was hosted by the Embassy of Greece in Australia and the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, bringing together a cross-section of political, diplomatic and community leadership.
The event brought together a cross-section of political, diplomatic and community leadership.
The evening was emceed by Dimitra Mavrokordatos and Maria Kakali, who opened proceedings with an Acknowledgement of Country before inviting guests to stand for the national anthems of Australia and Greece.
A video message from Kyriakos Mitsotakis was then played, marking the significance of March 25 and connecting the Sydney gathering to commemorations taking place globally.
Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, officially opened the evening, framing the reception within the significance of Greek Independence Day and the enduring connection between Greece and its diaspora.
Addressing guests, he underscored the importance of the anniversary as a defining moment in Greece’s history, while recognising the role of the Greek Australian community in preserving and advancing Hellenism abroad.
“We gather here to celebrate the independence of Greece and the enduring values of freedom and democracy that define our nation,” he said.
Consul General George Skemperis.
Among those in attendance were Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece to Australia, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, and NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper representing NSW Premier Chris Minns, alongside a cross-party delegation of the Hellenic Parliament including Maximos Charakopoulos, Secretary of the Parliamentary Group of New Democracy, Filippos Fortomas, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee for Greeks Abroad, Stavros Michailidis from PASOK, and Konstantinos Barkas from SYRIZA.
Officials in attendance.
Archbishop Makarios delivered a reflective address, linking the national and spiritual significance of March 25.
“With profound emotion, national pride and gratitude to God, we gather here tonight,” he said.
“This commemoration becomes more than a national remembrance. It becomes a witness… that courage is possible, that unity is necessary and that hope endures.”
Archbishop Makarios of Australia.
Ambassador Venizelos spoke on the significance of the anniversary.
“The 25th of March marks the renaissance of our nation and our enduring love for freedom,” he said.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the Greek diaspora, describing Greek Australians as a source of pride for Greece through their achievements and continued connection to the homeland.
Minister Kamper also addressed the gathering, reflecting on identity and heritage among Greek Australians. “We never lose that connection to our motherland,” he said.
Ambassador Stavros Venizelos.Steve Kamper MP.
Speaking on behalf of the Hellenic Parliament delegation, Mr Charakopoulos conveyed the greetings of the Greek Prime Minister and emphasised the enduring bond between Greece and its diaspora.
“We are proud of you… proud of the Hellenism of Australia,” he said.
The remaining members of the delegation echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude to the diaspora for preserving Greek heritage abroad and acknowledging their contribution to both Australia and Greece.
Maximos Charakopoulos.
Filippos Fortomas.
Stavros Michailidis.
Konstantinos Barkas.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of a commemorative medal to Mr Charakopoulos, presented jointly by Consul General Mr Skemperis and Ambassador Venizelos as a symbolic gesture during the delegation’s visit.
The formal program concluded with remarks from event sponsors, including Argyris Karavis on behalf of wine sponsor Nico Lazaridis.
“It is an honour to be part of this commemoration… celebrating the enduring connection between Greece and its diaspora,” he said.
The event was enjoyed by all.
The evening then continued with a performance by the Hellenic Lyceum dance group, before guests mingles and enjoyed the remainder of the reception.
The reception served not only as a commemoration of Greece’s independence, but as a reaffirmation of identity, heritage and the enduring ties between Greece and Australia.
