DANIEL ANDREWS, Victoria:
I’d like to send my very best wishes to our state’s Greek community, ahead of Greek Independence Day.
Today, we celebrate the men and women who fought to return democracy to its birthplace. It’s also an occasion to celebrate the remarkable contributions of Greek Victorians.
From food to culture, art to commerce, these contributions reach every community and corner of our state.
We simply wouldn’t be who we are without our Greek community.
On behalf of our Government, I wish your readers Χρόνια πολλά!
The Hon Daniel Andrews MP
Premier of Victoria
THE GOVERNOR OF VICTORIA, Linda Dessau AC:
As Greece celebrates two hundred years of constitutional democracy, it is a pleasure to add the good wishes of all Victorians to those from people across the globe.
At the time of such an important milestone, I take the opportunity to reflect on the enormous contribution of the Greek community in Victoria.
Long a pillar of our State – from the first immigrants in the Gold Rush, to the many more who have arrived over the decades since – Greek Victorians have made an indelible mark on our social, economic and cultural landscape. In areas as diverse as food and hospitality, politics, sport, the arts, academia and business, we have been enriched.
On behalf of all Victorians, I thank you, send greetings for a Happy 200th Anniversary of Independence and wish each one of you, in the words of our State motto, Peace and Prosperity.
The Honourable Linda Dessau AC
Governor of Victoria
GLADYS BEREJIKLIAN, New South Wales:
It is a great pleasure to offer my best wishes to the Greek Australian community as you celebrate 200 years since Greek independence.
We are proud to share in this important moment of history with our Greek community in NSW.
I was delighted to announce that the Greek colours would be lit on the Sydney Opera House to mark this historic occasion.
I would like to also thank Greek Australians for your outstanding contributions to NSW.
I wish you a very happy Greek Independence Day.
Hon Gladys Berejiklian MP
Premier of New South Wales
STEVEN MARSHALL, South Australia:
On behalf of the Government of South Australia, I extend my sincere congratulations to the President and the people of the Hellenic Republic, and the Greek diaspora in Australia on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Revolution of Greek’s Liberty and Democracy.
The struggle of Greek independence in 1821 after nearly 400 years of rule by the Ottoman Empire is a story of heroism, trial and ultimately, triumph. As the birthplace of democracy, Greece’s desire to be a free nation in accordance with the principles of self-government was, and continues to be, a source of inspiration for other nations.
Throughout the ages, Greek architecture, art, philosophy and science has played a critical role in the development of western civilisation, and at the same time increased our awareness and understanding of the ancient glories of Hellenic culture.
Here in South Australia, and in Australia more broadly, the journey of Greek migrants has been a great success story. Having largely arrived in two ‘waves’, the first during the inter war period and then in larger numbers after the Second World War, the Greek community has distinguished itself through its significant contribution to every part of society.
Guided by faith and a love of family, the Greek community’s passion to preserve, promote and share their rich culture has not only made a positive contribution to multiculturalism, but has helped to strengthen the bond between Australia and Greece.
My warmest wishes to all Australians of Greek heritage for the celebration of this historic milestone.
Hon Steven Marshall MP
Premier of South Australia
ANNASTACIA PALASCZUK, Queensland:
I join Australia’s Greek community in celebrating your rich heritage with pride on this special 200th anniversary of Greece’s Revolution for Independence.
On 25 March 1821, the citizens of Patras rose in revolt against their Turkish overlords with a stirring call to arms – ‘Freedom or Death!’ It was a call that resonated throughout Europe, for Greece is where democracy and western civilisation began.
While subjugated by powerful empires over many centuries, the Greek people always kept alive their love of freedom and their passionate commitment to their homeland.
I am delighted Greek Queenslanders are out in force today, two centuries on, celebrating this pivotal moment for their ancestors, their country of origin and for modern democracy.
I wish everyone a most memorable National Independence Day of Greece bicentenary.
Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP
Premier of Queensland, Minister for Trade
ANDREW BARR, ACT
Greece’s role in the world ”cemented because of the Revolution”
On behalf of the people of Canberra, I would like to extend my best wishes to the people of Greece, and to the local Greek community here in Canberra, on the occasion of the bicentenary of Greece’s Revolution for Independence.
Greece’s place in the modern world was cemented because of the Revolution and the Greek people have continued to share their warm and inviting culture with the globe ever since.
Canberra is Australia’s most inclusive city and Australians of Greek heritage have made and continue to make significant contributions to the development and identity of our nation and our city.
The Greek community in Canberra has been integral to our growth over many decades, with Greek families investing in our city and creating many aspects of our society. From business to food, and from the National Multicultural Festival to the Hellenic Club, the Greek community in Canberra is open and inviting.
I hope you all have a fantastic day.
Andrew Barr MLA
ACT Chief Minister
MARK McGOWAN, Western Australia:
I am delighted to send my warmest congratulations to the Western Australian Greek community and the Consulate of Greece in Perth on the occasion of 200th anniversary of independence of the Hellenic Republic and the establishment of Modern Greece.
Here in Western Australia we will be celebrating this milestone anniversary side-by side with Greek communities across the world.
Western Australia is home to a long-established and flourishing Greek community, one that has contributed considerably to both our character and our development.
Australia and Greece also share an unbreakable bond forged by the involvement of Australian troops in the defence of Greece during World War I.
Our close relationship is built on these strong foundations and is further strengthened by decades of migration that have created extensive family links between our two countries.
For these reasons and many more, the celebration of this landmark anniversary of independence on 25 March 2021 is a celebration for us all.
I convey my best wishes to the Western Australian Greek community on this auspicious occasion and wish you a very happy anniversary.
Mark McGowan
Premier of Western Australia
MICHAEL GUNNER, Northern Territory:
When the Maniots of the southern Peloponnese took up arms against the invaders in 1821, there began the revolution that led to independence for Greece.
Freedom, however, is of itself worthless unless its value is understood. In this, the Greeks were well advanced.
It is incredible to think that Socrates taught Plato and Plato taught Aristotle. Greece gave the world philosophy, from which came democracy and the code of law.
These ideas, like Greece itself, are eternal. They are so strong that whenever dark forces gather and seek to control others, we stay strong by following the unassailable wisdoms of the ancient Greek philosophers.
Australia was barely a child when Greece overthrew 400 years of foreign rule. In 1821, this country was not fully explored and was experiencing a long hangover as a penal colony.
It is thought the first Greek person to see what is now known as Darwin was a ship’s cook named Kengris who was travelling in a survey vessel that arrived in 1869.
From that quiet beginning, Greeks soon became part of Darwin’s non-Indigenous foundation families.
They brought a wealth of skills and culture and, in a place sometimes associated with adventurers and misfits, a strong sense of the stable family unit.
It is impossible to think of the frontier or modern north without thinking of the Greek contribution.
Today, the top five languages other than English spoken in the Northern Territory are, in order: Kriol, Djambarrpuyngu, Greek, Warlpiri and Murrinh Patha.
I send warm regards on the bicentenary of Greek independence and thank the Greek people of Australia for always exemplifying the ideals of tolerance and freedom.
Michael Gunner
Chief Minister, Northern Territory
PETER GUTWEIN, Tasmania
Long binding ties between both nations
I am honoured to join you in celebrating the bicentennial of Greek Independence Day.
The Tasmanian Government recognises the courage and tenacity of those Greek people who, on 25 March 1821, rose up and began the fight to regain their country’s sovereignty after centuries of rule by the Ottoman Empire.
Our ties to Greece go much further back to ancient Athens and to the first known system of democracy which would pave the way for representative democracies across the world. Today, our Australian Citizenship pledge enshrines the principles of loyalty to a system of Government based on democratic beliefs, a respect for rights and liberties and the upholding of Australian law. We are indebted to Greece for laying these foundations.
Generations of Greek Tasmanians have enriched and strengthened our Tasmanian community and I take this opportunity to thank our Tasmanian Greek community for your outstanding social, cultural and economic contributions in making our state, Tasmania, the successful multicultural island that it is today.
Our unique International Wall of Friendship features a stone from the Hellenic Community of Tasmania donated to Tasmania as a symbol of our friendship and good-will.
On the 200th anniversary of Greek Independence, the Tasmanian Government has much pleasure in joining with our Greek and Australian community to celebrate the enduring ties the democratic values that have shaped and underpin our nations.
Peter Gutwein MP
Premier of Tasmania