Rapturous applause and teary eyes greeted the unveiling of the bust of the ancient Spartan King, Leonidas in Sparta Place, Brunswick, yesterday afternoon.
The rain did not stop the sizable crowd from turning up for the event.
Along with members of Pallaconian Brotherhood of Victoria, was City of Moreland Mayor, Lambros Tapinos, MPs Jenny Mikakos and Kelvin Thompson as well as community leaders.
The statue of King Leonidas was commissioned by the City of Brunswick to celebrate the Memorandum of Understanding between Sparta and Brunswick.
Prior to the unveiling, the statue was contested by some local traders who accused the City of Moreland of a lack of consultation.