Nickolas Varvaris (Barton, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I wish to inform the house that this Sunday, 22 March, there will be a memorial service for Greek Independence Day. This Sunday will be of special significance in the electorate of Barton, where approximately 20,000 constituents are of Greek heritage. This year marks 194 years since Greece became independent. On Sunday a memorial service will be held at Martin Place Cenotaph to mark the Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek uprising, in 1821. Officially, Greek Independence Day is celebrated on 25 March in Greece, where it is also known as Greek National Day. Coincidentally, Greek Independence Day is the same day as the celebration of the Annunciation to the Theotokos, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God. As such, 25 March is a day of dual significance for Greeks in Australia, in Greece and in other parts of the world. The memorial service allows us to remember Greece's independence from the Ottoman Empire and the sacrifices made for this to happen. For many of those with Greek heritage the bravery of the Greek people, who fought for their rights of freedom and liberty, is something we should never forget. I would like to acknowledge His Eminence, Archbishop Stylianos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia, the many parishes and communities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, and the Greek Orthodox community of New South Wales for their tireless efforts in preserving our cultural heritage.

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