A complaint made by the Australian Hellenic Council (NSW) to the Victorian Government regarding the use of the coat of arms of the state of Victoria on the website of the ‘Macedonian Community Council of Victoria’* (MCCV) has resulted in the Government asking MCCV to remove it from their site.
The AHC first wrote to the Victorian Government’s protocol department on 14 May expressing its concerns on the use of the crest, and on the website’s inclusion of a map which depicted of parts of the Hellenic Republic incorporated within an expanded FYROM state.
After a second letter was sent by AHC to the department on 24 May, saying that the website header gave the viewer the impression that the MCCV had the endorsement of the state government, the coat of arms was removed from the website the following weekend.
Neos Kosmos understands that in response to the AHC’s correspondence, a Victorian Government representative contacted the MCCV to explain to the organisation the terms and conditions of the use of the coat of arms.
Former AHC coordinator George Vellis said: “Many AHC members originate from towns and villages in the districts of northern Hellas displayed on this website and find it highly offensive to see their ancestral homes, and the homes of their extended families, coveted in this way.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian Government told Neos Kosmos yesterday:
“The Victorian Government uses the coat of arms to identify its authority and property. The coat of arms belongs to the Victorian Government and is not available for general use by any person or organisation, or to indicate an affiliation with Victoria.”
*This is the formal name under which this entity is registered in Australia. Neos Kosmos does not endorse the use of the term ‘Macedonian’ in this context.