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

On Sunday I had the privilege of attending the Greek Independence Day march and wreath-laying ceremony in Martin Place. These celebrations were hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, having been hosted by the Greek community in Sydney for over 100 years. Many schoolchildren, members of the public and patriots in traditional attire gathered to celebrate Greek national values and commemorate the sacrifices of those fallen in the cause of freedom. At the ceremony, the Hon. Concetta Fierravanti-Wells represented the Prime Minister in a continuation of his strong relationship with the Greek community in Sydney.

The ceremony marked the 193rd anniversary of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire, ending 400 years of oppression and occupation. In the Greek War of Independence of 1821, hundreds of thousands of civilians and soldiers perished as martyrs to those values common to the nations of Greece and Australia: freedom, loyalty and independence.

I was humbled to lay a wreath on behalf of the Greek community in Barton and the Barton electorate as a whole. It was a fantastic day which served to both commemorate our fallen and celebrate the living story of the Greek Australian people and those essential values that we are willing to live for and to die for.