Julia Banks (Chisholm, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to talk about last Saturday evening, which was abuzz with Greek diaspora in the heart of Melbourne at the 31st Lonsdale Street Greek Festival. Together with the Minister for Finance and Revenue, the Hon. Kelly O'Dwyer, we represented Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the Lonsdale Street Greek Festival. The Lonsdale Street festival is also known as the Antipodes festival. It is the largest celebration of Hellenic culture outside of Greece and is held annually in Melbourne's Greek precinct. The streets of Melbourne were abuzz with Greek diaspora.

For years people from across Melbourne, including from my electorate of Chisholm, have been coming to spend and enjoy this weekend in February as a long-held celebratory tradition. During the official proceedings of the festival, I expressed my extreme pride in my Greek heritage. I'm extremely proud to be chair of the federal parliamentary friends of Greece network. As an Australian with Greek migrant heritage, it is fantastic to see Hellenic culture celebrated so proudly and vibrantly. The work of the Greek community of Melbourne, under the leadership of festival president Bill Papastergiadis and Jorge Menides, director of the Greek centre, ensures that the Greek language and culture remains alive in Melbourne. I thank the operators of the Greek community of Melbourne for continuing to hold this spectacular event in the heart of Melbourne, which is the epicentre of Greek diaspora.

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