Labor’s shadow minister for multicultural affairs Andrew Giles, fronted media yesterday at the Greek Orthodox monastery Axion Esti in Melbourne’s suburb of Northcote to announce that an “Albanese Labor government will contribute $10 million if elected” to establish a cultural centre that will “ensure the future of this beautiful monastery and the grounds it sits on.”

Mr Giles was flanked by Bishop Evmenios and Orthodox clergy, as well as Labor colleagues; Ged Kearney, Maria Vamvakinou, Kat Theophanous, and her colleague Lee Tarlamis.

Mr Giles said that he was “thrilled to be back only a few weeks after Greek Orthodox easter at midnight mass at with Maria [Vamvakinou] and Ged [Kearney]”.

The ambitious project, estimated to cost $70 million, was touted by his Grace Bishop Evmenios as “a major cultural hub of national significance.”

“This is a significant announcement that builds on the extraordinary history of this place and its role in the fabric of the Greek community in Melbourne, and in Australia, and is a critical part of the Orthodox Church’s story,” said Mr Giles.

Bishop Evmenios acknowledged the commitment saying, “I want to thank Andrew [Giles] and express appreciation on behalf of his Eminence Archbishop Makarios and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to the Labor Party and Mr Albanese.”

He added that the project is “great for the Greek community as well as, the wider Victorian community.”

“The vision is to reinstate this beautiful heritage building, which is part of Victoria’s history.

The bishop said that the monastery was once run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, and that the tradition of care and community support was embedded in its history.

“We want to see this as a place where everyone can engage Greek culture and is open to all Victorians.”

Bishop Evmenios, Andrew Giles, Ged Kearney and Kat Theophanous gather for the announcement. Photo: Stav Lambropoulou

The redevelopment will include a world first indoor/outdoor multipurpose amphitheatre, that seats over 800, inspired by New York’s Lincoln Centre, outdoor sculptures, galleries, artisans, and shops. It will have a refurbished church, affordable housing, and early learning centres. There will be vegetable gardens, an olive grove and in the tradition of monasteries, olive oil making and a bakery.

Neos Kosmos asked Bishop Evmenios how the cultural centre – its galleries and performance spaces – will deal with contemporary secular Greek culture and art, art that is not sanctioned by the church such as, the literature of Nikos Kazantzakis, the 20th century Greek author of Last Temptation of Christ, or contemporary versions of ancient Greek plays, or LGBTIQ artists and themes.

His Grace said that “all of art and culture were welcome” but did not expand on how that could occur.

Ged Kearney, the member for Cooper, said that “the community will no longer have to drive past without knowing about this magnificent building, people will be able to come in and experience everything of the Greek history and culture of our community.”

Maria Vamvakinou, the member for Calwell, was emotional and said that she was proud to stand next to her Labor colleagues, and his Grace, and “finally realise that the vision for a cultural centre here is closer to becoming a reality.”

“My own children have virtually grown up here, in the gardens, and their generation hungers for something unique and something we can all share.”

Neos Kosmos asked if Labor would announce equivalent support for the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), seeing that the GCM runs the largest Greek festival in Australia, the Greek Film Festival and the Greek Writers’ Festival.

The shadow minister for multicultural affairs, Mr Giles said that the Greek community in Melbourne and Australia is diverse and “very politically engaged.”

“There are several projects that are of significance to the Greek community that we are in discussions about, obviously today we are making one announcement.”

He said that the Labor Party continue to see the Greek community as active and engaged partners.

Ms Vamvakinou added that there is not “only one community, or one group, there are many representatives of the Greek community right across this country.”

Media were later presented a vision of the project and advised by a leading heritage restorer, Arthur Andronas who saw the restoration of St Paul’s Cathedral and other large projects.