On Monday, August 28, at 7pm, the Greek Centre (GCM) hosts Sheena Watt MP, Yorta Yorta woman and a member of the Victorian Legislative Council.

According to the GCM Board’s statement, Watt will present a “compelling argument” for the Yes position on a First Nations Voice to Parliament as we approach the Referendum .

The GCM’s statement acknowledges the “profound cultural heritage of Indigenous Australians” as being “integral to this nation’s history for over 65,000 years.”

“The disparities in life expectancy and quality of life underscore the urgency for change,” the statement notes and adds, “Indigenous Australians are best equipped to comprehend and address the challenges they face”.

The statement said that the GCM as a “representative body for Greek migrants and their descendants”, is an advocate for the “preservation of languages and cultures for all citizens.”

Sheena Watt told Neos Kosmos: “Greek and Indigenous communities here in Australia have a shared history of a long and rich culture, and we are united in our fight for inclusion and respect.”

“The Greek Australian community has always been a firm ally of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and I invite you to continue to walk with me and my Indigenous brothers and sisters as we fight to build an Australia that values and celebrates its diversity and the culture and knowledges of its First Peoples.

“Much like Greeks, First Nations people share a deep respect for the wisdom of their Elders and the central role they have played in protecting our connection to our culture and languages”

GCM board member, Jeana Vithoulkas told Neos Kosmos: “We should act for the ‘intrinsic good’ because we as migrants and children of migrants have advocated for greater participation and representation for ourselves and we should extend that to the indigenous inhabitants of this land.”

“As Greek Australians who claim to be proud of our heritage we should be true to the cores of Hellenism where there was representation and voice in the agora,” Vithoulkas added.

The president of the GCM Bill Papastergiadis OAM told Neos Kosmos that the Greek Community of Melbourne, “endorses the constitutional recognition of Australia’s First Peoples.”

“Greek democratic principles, underpin the GCM and in recognition of those values, the GCM believes it is imperative that the parliament listen to the voices of the traditional custodians of the land.”

Sheena Watt MP is the first Aboriginal woman to serve as a Labor Member of Victoria’s Legislative Council. Her pre-parliamentary career spanned Aboriginal health organizations and campaign management for the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples.

The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) was founded in 1897 and represents Greek immigrants and their descendants and advocates for them. The GCM also runs education programs, fora, cultural events.

The event details: Monday, August 28, at 7 pm, on the Mezzanine of The Greek Centre, located at 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD

To secure your spot please register your attendance through this link: https://www.trybooking.com/CKQRV