The Greek Community Home for the Aged served as a site of recognition and celebration during this year’s Australia Day events, honouring the country’s rich multiculturalism and crucially the traditional custodians of the land with a Great Ausssie Cultural BBQ.
The event was held at the Home, which is part of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, during the afternoon of Australia Day and incorporated a wide array of food and entertainment.
The event began with a First Nations Welcome to Country ceremony to honour the traditional custodians of the land.
Various types of live entertainment were organised throughout the day to reflect Australia’s diversity, including traditional Greek, Italian, and Arabic music and dancing, with many cultural delights from several cuisines also on offer.
Harry Danalis, President of the Greek Community of NSW, thanked the numerous guests in attendance for joining them at the Home for the event.
“It is very important that our residents continue to be part of the mainstream and have experiences outside the closed doors of this host,” he said. we provide entertainment and excursions and all of the other services that the hostel provides to make them feel comfortable and at home.

Ioannis Mallikourtis, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, praised the Community for holding such an event at the Home with its residents, saying in Greek:
“Australia would not be what it is today without your contribution, your labour and your work.”
Nikolaos Varelas, the Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus in Australia, echoed Mallikourtis’ sentiments, acknowledging the efforts of the residents and all first-generation Greeks that moved to Australia to create a different life without losing their Hellenism:
“It is very important that you hold on strongly to your customs, traditions, and your language, for the third and fourth generations,” he said.
Sophie Cotsis, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations and for Work Health and Safety, expressed sincere appreciation to the Blue Tongue Management for participating in the event.
“It was fantastic to have this wonderful Aboriginal group here to participate in Australia Day at the Aged Care Home,” she said.
“Congratulations for your contribution to Australia and particularly showcasing to our wonderful residents here today.”
The event was greatly supported through a grant provided by the NSW Government, with Danalis confirming that all proceeds from the day will go towards the Home.