The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has issued the following announcement for the passing of a great leader:
The Greek community of Melbourne mourns the loss of a great Australian visionary and strong advocate of social justice and multiculturalism, former prime minister Bob Hawke.
Initially through his leadership of the ACTU in the 1970s, he developed close ties with Australians of ethnic background and clearly understood the need to engage with them and encourage their active involvement in the Australian narrative and way of life, be that in their workplace or in the community institutions which they served.
READ MORE: Bob Hawke and the Greeks, an amazing relationship in pictures
He will be remembered for many great achievements and defining moments. His role in ending apartheid in South Africa, his efforts to demolish the gender pay gap and the launch of Medicare in 1984 as Australia’s first affordable universal healthcare system are just some of those.
The Greek community is especially proud of the fact that Bob Hawke attended and opened the inaugural Antipodes festival in 1988.He maintained a close friendship not only with the leaders of our organisation but with many Greek Australians of all walks of life.
He will be fondly remembered by members of our community.