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Mature debate needed on flag issue

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Australian flag. Circular Quay.

Australian Flags being sold at Circular Quay in Sydney on Australia Day - the Union Jack still causes some debate. Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

1 Feb 2010
Alexandros Logothetis

As the debate over the possible changing of the Australian flag continues, three Greek Australian community leaders voice their opinions on the issue raised by journalist Ray Martin last Monday.

Mr Martin suggested that the current Australian flag should be replaced with something else because it reflects Australia’s colonial past and because it is not unique.

New Zealand and Fiji have similar flags.

The President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, Victoria, Bill Papastergiadis agreed with the idea.

“I believe Australia now has a level of maturity such that it ought to reflect on a flag and a symbol that represents this country in the 21st century.

I think that’s a debate that we are mature enough to have and it’s one that is overdue and it’s one that we should all participate in.”

The senior deputy chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia (FECCA), Eugenia Grammatikakis also welcomed the prospect of a debate on the issue without however endorsing or opposing the change of the flag.

“There are arguments for and against and my position is that I would like this issue to be debated openly and rationally.”

She also pointed out to the maturity of the Australian society that can enable such a “clam and reasonable” debate.

“FECCA welcomes the debate and will be happy to be part of it.” Ms Grammatikaki stressed the importance of discussing the issue without disrespecting the current flag and what it represents.

The President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne, Victoria Stelios Angelodimou disagreed with any attempts to change the flag. “It is a symbol recognised internationally, it is part of this country’s identity and I personally can’t think of any reason why it should change.”

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As a Greek who used to live in Australia and who grew up there and was called wog ect, I don't think they should change the flag.
Does the flag make you feel that you are a pom because of the Union Jack? I don't think so.
We should be proud of the Australian flag as we are with the Greek flag.
Should we change the Greek flag because it has the cross in the corner or because we have muslims living in Greece?
No, so we should respect it as the Diggers did in Gallipoli on those far away beaches in those dark hours.
As a Greek, when i see the Aussie flag i'm proud that I once lived in that country and have the flag in my car alongside the Greek flag.
I am proud of both, so i think we should leave it alone and be proud of it when we see it all over the world.
So i say no thank you.

Submitted by georgg21 on Wed, 2010-02-03 05:24.

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