Greek senior citizens gathered at the Centre of Greek Ex-Servicemen’s Elderly Citizens Club in Northcote for a community lunch and to hear from the Member for Cooper, Ged Kearney. She was joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, as well as local Darebin councillors.
Kearney, who is the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, told those gathered, “You keep community alive, but more important than that you keep your culture alive.”
She announced a $20,000 commitment by the Albanese government—if re-elected—to refurbish the Reservoir and Northcote senior citizen centres, “to make them better for you so that when you come here that you come to facilities that are fresh, that are new and welcoming.”
“The contribution that the Greek community has made to this beautiful country of ours is immeasurable, and we can’t thank you enough for that.
“The groups like this keep people from being isolated. It gets everyone out of their home – groups like this organisation make sure people don’t suffer from loneliness and isolation,” the minister said.
Special guest Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles spoke about attending Greek National Day celebrations three weeks ago.
“We thought about the heroes of 1821 and the pride and the spirit of that moment, a spirit and pride imbued in modern Greece, and a spirit the Greek diaspora has brought with them around the world.
“It is impossible to conceive a modern Australia today without the contribution of the Greek community and so much of what makes our country so special today is by virtue of the contribution that’s been made by the Greek community.”
The Minister for Defence also emphasised the fact that Greeks have historically fought alongside Anzacs as allies. He noted that many Greek Australians have served in the Australian Defence Forces, including in conflicts such as Vietnam.
Kearney also thanked Eleni Mylonas, the group’s administrator, and Toula Sardellis, the president.
“Eleni, the work you do in this community – for seniors, for multicultural groups, for community groups – is unparalleled. We would not be here without you today.”
Toula Sardellis, while busy serving a Pascha fish lunch to hungry seniors, took a moment to speak briefly to Neos Kosmos.
“Ged is very good; we need this support,” she told Neos Kosmos.
Froso one of the members and her sister Voula, have been with the club for 10 years.
“I came here 56 years ago and was a young girl of 16 now look at me” laughed Froso.
When asked what Greek seniors need, she said, “We need to be able to go out, to socialise and not feel so isolated.”
Marles made a beeline toward a Greek veteran, spending time in conversation with him.
The Korean War veteran was asked by Neos Kosmos how he felt. He said, “Those of us who were there, what can we feel?
“It is not good feeling; war is never a good thing. But we did what we had to, it was our responsibility.”
Marles then underscored the deep connection between Greek and Australian servicemen and told Neos Kosmos, “The Korean War, which had multiple nations fighting under the banner of the UN—and I think the gentleman who was in the UN as part of the Greek army—that is a moment where Australians and Greek servicemen were fighting side by side.
“The Greek community has been wearing the Australian uniform as well. Through all of this, we thought of our allies from the first onwards. I think what characterises service is a sense of camaraderie.”
The event was also attended by the Mayor of Darebin, Kristine Olaris; Deputy Mayor Emily Dimitriadis; and the State Member for Northcote, Kat Theophanous.
