Australia’s Ambassador to Greece, Her Excellency Alison Duncan, has delivered a wide-ranging address in Sydney outlining the current state and untapped potential of bilateral trade and investment between Australia and Greece.

The business luncheon was hosted by the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) NSW on Thursday, July 24 at the Union, University & Schools Club in the Sydney CBD. It brought together a distinguished group of diplomats, state politicians, business leaders and local government representatives.

HACCI NSW President George Mavrakis opened proceedings, describing the event as part of the Chamber’s “strategic agreement with some of the largest chambers and trade organisations in Greece,” and an opportunity to deepen ties between the two nations.

Mr Mavrakis also formally welcomed Ambassador Duncan and thanked her for her leadership and “support to enhance the visibility and profile of the HACCI National Federation.”

‘A relationship underpinned by the diaspora’

Ambassador Duncan, who was appointed to Greece in 2023, began by affirming that “the relationship between Greece and Australia is in great shape,” attributing this in large part to the Greek Australian diaspora.

“It really does contribute a lot to the warmth of our relationship with Greece,” she said. “Even though I’m not from the diaspora myself… it’s possible to be a Philhellene without being a Hellene.”

However, she noted that while diplomatic relations are strong, the trade relationship remains underdeveloped.

“It’s a pretty slim relationship in that respect,” she said, pointing out that most of the current $2.5 billion two-way trade stems from tourism.

She highlighted that Macquarie Group is Australia’s largest investor in Greece, with over $4 billion in renewables and infrastructure projects, and that Greece-based Metlen is now investing in Australia’s largest battery storage project in the Hunter Valley.

Reforms and opportunities in Greece

Duncan also detailed recent economic reforms in Greece and the opportunities these present.

“The Greek economy is doing pretty well,” she said. “In 2023, The Economist named Greece the economy of the year… the country has returned to investment grade status, and growth this year is forecast at 2.2%.”

She praised Greece’s post-crisis digitisation efforts, tax reforms and surplus delivery. Yet, she added that Greece still needs major investment in sectors such as infrastructure, shipping, water management, education and energy.

“There’s still a big deficit of infrastructure investment. You can see that as a challenge, but also as an opportunity,” she said.

The Ambassador called for more direct engagement between Australian and Greek businesses.

“It is important to be in the market,” she stressed. “You can’t do business with Greece over the phone and email. You need to meet people and build relationships.”

Citizenship, identity and investment

Outgoing Greek Consul General in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, also addressed the audience, using his final days in office to reflect on how Greek identity and citizenship are increasingly intertwined with investment.

He explained that in his three-year tenure, the number of citizenships granted to Greek Australians had doubled from 600 to 1,200 per year.

“Digitisation has made a huge difference,” he said. “A Greek Australian whose parent was Greek and has registered their marriage in Greece becomes a citizen within a few days.”

Mallikourtis urged Greek Australians to move beyond outdated perceptions of the homeland. “Be more open-minded when you think about investing in Greece… There are opportunities, and you’ll see a good return.”

NSW Ministers: ‘We’re open for business’

New South Wales Ministers Courtney Houssos (Finance) and Sophie Cotsis (Industrial Relations) reaffirmed the state government’s support for deepening Australia–Greece trade ties.

Houssos praised the forum as “an important opportunity” and applauded Greece’s fiscal turnaround. “As a finance minister, I’m pretty impressed – a 1.3% surplus of GDP is a remarkable thing.”

She added that the Greek community’s ambition “has literally built our state” and emphasised the state’s ongoing commitment to supporting international engagement: “We’re here to help the community continue to grow and thrive.”

Cotsis described Ambassador Duncan’s presentation as “one of the best I’ve heard,” adding that “we are absolutely open for business.” She also highlighted the Ambassador’s role in coordinating a training exchange between Greek emergency services and New South Wales agencies earlier this year.

“Our values – family, faith, freedom – form the spiritual bond between Australia and Greece,” Cotsis said. “More of these forums are needed.”

The event concluded with a networking session and a promise of more HACCI NSW events to come.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos

The Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee of NSW (SEKA NSW) held a heartfelt memorial and wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday, July 27, to mark the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion and continued occupation of Cyprus.

The day began with a moving memorial service at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern, where Fathers Christophoros Krikelis and Nicholas Georgiou led prayers in honour of those who perished during the 1974 invasion.

Father Nicholas, visiting from Melbourne and himself of Cypriot descent, offered a deeply personal reflection, speaking about how his father’s experiences as a displaced person shaped his own understanding of identity and injustice. He urged attendees to preserve the memory of the invasion and to continue speaking out for Cyprus’s reunification.

Following the memorial, guests gathered in the church hall for refreshments and a commemorative program, emceed by SEKA NSW Co-President Miranda Adamou. The atmosphere was one of solemn reflection and enduring pride, as poetry readings captured the pain and resilience of a divided homeland.

In her remarks, Adamou paid tribute to the generations of Cypriots who have never stopped advocating for justice. Fellow Co-President Chris Koulinos echoed her sentiments, stressing the importance of never forgetting the tragedy of 1974.

Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis, emphasised Greece’s ongoing support for Cyprus and acknowledged the significant contribution of the Cypriot diaspora in keeping the issue alive in Australia.

High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, praised the unwavering commitment of the local Cypriot community.

Andreas Grigoriou, Director General of Cyprus’ Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, also addressed the gathering, offering the Cypriot Government’s gratitude for the solidarity shown by Cypriots abroad. He reaffirmed the Republic’s determination to pursue reunification through peaceful and legal means.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of two community service awards: one to Panikos Achilleos, President of the Cyprus-Hellene Club, for his leadership and cultural advocacy; and the other to Soteris Tsouris OAM, former President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, in recognition of his decades-long commitment to the Cypriot cause in Australia.

The formal exchange of gifts between visiting and local representatives symbolised the ongoing cooperation between Cyprus and its diaspora.

Later in the day, dignitaries, officials, and members of Greek and Cypriot community organisations gathered at the Cenotaph in Martin Place for a wreath-laying ceremony. Among the attendees was the New South Wales Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis MP, Damien Tudehope MLC, Bayside City Councillor Fiona Douskou, former Australian politicians Jeannette McHugh and Amanda Fazio, the President of the Cyprus Community of NSW, Michael Kyriacou, and President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis.

Father Steven Scoutas led the Trisagion memorial prayer. Despite a light drizzling of rain that sent guests towards shelter, the sun soon returned, allowing the ceremony to proceed smoothly.

The service included the playing of the Last Post and Rouse, the reading of the Ode, and a minute’s silence, observed with great reverence.

Wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen, the missing, and the generations who continue to demand justice.

The 51st anniversary served as a powerful reminder of Cyprus’ unresolved division and the diaspora’s enduring commitment to remembrance, unity, and advocacy.

*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos

On Thursday, July 24, members of the Cypriot community in Canberra took part in the Australian War Memorial’s daily Last Post Ceremony to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

While the Last Post Ceremony is held every day to honour the sacrifice of Australians who have served in war, this particular occasion saw the Cypriot Australian community participate in a special act of remembrance for those who lost their lives in the 1974 invasion and for the thousands who remain missing to this day.

In an atmosphere filled with emotion and solemn reflection, wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen.

Representing the Republic of Cyprus, Andreas Gregoriou, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and Head of the Presidency’s Administration, laid a wreath on behalf of the President of the Republic. He was joined by His Excellency Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia.

Eleni Psichopeda, representing Ambassador of Greece to Australia His Excellency Stavros Venizelos, laid a wreath on behalf of the Embassy of Greece. Reverend Archimandrite Kosmas Damianides participated on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.

Also laying wreaths were Lloyd Brodrick, Assistant Secretary of the Eastern and South-Eastern Europe Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Nectaria Volis, President of the Cypriot Community of Canberra and ACT, M. Mechanicos, Head of SEKA ACT, John Loukadellis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, and Steve Kartsonas, President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra.

The participation of the Cypriot community in this national ceremony served as a powerful tribute to the enduring grief and resilience of the Cypriot people. It was a reminder that, even half a century on, the pain of the invasion remains deeply felt, and the hope for justice and reunification continues.