Melbourne’s Historic Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct will benefit to the tune of $100,000 over two years should Sally Capp be re-elected as Lord Mayor in the upcoming council elections.
The incumbent Lord Mayor pledged the support to the Greek and the other eight Melbourne City Precincts in a $900,000 program that will boost their marketing programs over the next two years.
The new funding would be in addition to the current program that sees up to $75,000 provided per anum for each precinct for marketing, business development and administration.
“Our distinct and diverse precincts really make our city,” Sally Capp said.
“We can tuck into pasta on Lygon Street or yum cha in China Town, grab a coffee and enjoy the art in the CBD laneways, enjoy spanakopita in Lonsdale Street, dine waterfront at Docklands or riverfront at Southbank, stroll the funky shops of Kensington or check out the latest offerings around North Melbourne.
“I want to ensure these precincts can revitalise as we prepare to reopen.
“A boost of $50,000 this year and again the next year will be just the shot in the arm these areas need to get them re-started.
“We want more people to support local businesses which support local jobs and local providers of goods and services.
“With extra money for marketing, precinct associations will be able to reach out and tell their unique stories to remind Melburnians of what we’ve been missing during COVID restrictions.”
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President of the Greek Community of Melbourne Bill Papastergiadis OAM told Neos Kosmos, “Symbolism and history are an important part of our city and our lives. We need to recognise the footprint left by the first major wave of Greek migrants in our city which was then focused on Lonsdale St. Our organisation, the Greek Community of Melbourne has not abandoned Lonsdale and we host over 100 events annually at our 15-storey cultural centre. More so, Lonsdale St is the home of our annual Antipodes Lonsdale St Festival, arguably one of the largest Greek events globally. Hence, the story continues in this part of Melbourne and we thank the Lord Mayor for her pledge.”
Mr Papastergiadis said the GCM has worked closely with the Lord Mayor and her team. “She is a regular supporter of our events and has stood with the Greek Community and the Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct acknowledging its historic importance to Melbourne’s rich cultural landscape. Whilst Lonsdale Street is not what it once was, maintaining a presence in what is a significant historical strip for Melbourne’s Greek community is important. We thank Sally and her team for her pledge which I know will be most welcomed by the Lonsdale Street Greek Precinct 90+ members as they plan their recovery out of COVID,” he said.