Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews has become an “ambassador” for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Athens, said Greek-Australian Labor MP, Steve Dimopoulos, during his speech at a reception hosted by the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Christina Simantirakis, on the occasion of Greek Independence Day (March 25).
Several Australian ministers, parliament members, mayors, Greek Diaspora organization representatives, scientists, academics and artists were among the hundreds of people who attended the event.
Both the consul general, as well as the other speakers referred to the day’s history, the contribution of Greeks to the development of Australia, also noting that they are certain Greece will overcome its problems and mainly the economic crisis.
In his speech, the Republican opposition leader, Matthew Guy greeted metropolitan Iakovos, noting that the Greek Orthodox Church is an important part of the Greek Diaspora.
Furthermore, he mentioned his proposal to the Mayor of Melbourne to place bilingual signs in English and Greek on roads and public buildings in the center of Melbourne, especially near the new Greek Cultural Center, “to recognize the presence of Hellenism in the city.”
On Wednesday, March 25, a large Greek Diaspora parade marched through the center of Melbourne waving Greek flags to commemorate the 1821 Greek Revolution.
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