Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu marked the 50 year milestone of the Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria, Leonidas Inc., last Saturday night. The Premier unveiled a commemorative plaque which honoured past and present members of the brotherhood for their contribution in showcasing Greek culture to the Victorian and Australian public.
The brotherhood’s work highlights an ongoing commitment in the promotion of multiculturalism in Australia. In his speech made at the event, Baillieu congratulated the brotherhood for ensuring their culture, heritage and knowledge gets passed down to future generations and used them as an example of a multicultural success story in Victoria bringing up the sister relationship the brotherhood has formed between the City of Moreland and Laconia, Sparta.
Even the naming of Sparta Place in Brunswick, which plays host to a bust of King Leonidas, recognises the immense contribution made by this community group. He commended the Greek community’s contribution to Melbourne and Victoria and congratulated all Greeks on their “deep sense of pride” and their “passionate commitment to Australia” and to their customs and traditions and said that Australia will flourish and be stronger because of this.