The story of the Greek Australian community deserves to be written into the very streets and parks of Victoria—its geography reflecting the legacy of one of the state’s most significant migrant communities.
Victoria has a rich Greek heritage, but few public namesakes
Now, through the Victorian government’s ‘Remember a Local – Name a Place’ initiative, there is a unique opportunity to ensure the names of distinguished Greek Australians are permanently etched into the public spaces we all share.
Neos Kosmos is calling on the community to propose names of individuals whose contributions helped shape Victoria. This initiative gives us a chance to make sure our history is not only remembered but recognised—on the map.
Melbourne is home to one of the largest Greek populations in the world outside Greece, with more than 370,000 people of Greek heritage across generations.
Despite our remarkable presence, you wouldn’t know it when glancing at the state’s current place names. Greek or Cypriot names in Victoria are more commonly found in business—on shopfronts, cafés, and event venues—rather than on street signs or public monuments. There are a few notable exceptions.
The Greek Precinct on Lonsdale Street remains a cultural anchor in Melbourne. Lemnos Square in Albert Park, which includes the Lemnos Gallipoli Memorial, honours the role of Greek islands during World War I. Sparta Place in Brunswick and Kalamata Place in Thornbury also reference the Hellenic world. In Collingwood, there is a monument to activist Theodore Sidiropoulos, and in Oakleigh, a bust commemorates the beloved Father Nikolaos Moutafis.
But these are rare. In a city where Greek culture is interwoven into daily life, the absence of Greek names in our public spaces is stark. As Neos Kosmos contributor and author Konstantinos Kalymnios has written, Greeks have lived and contributed to Melbourne since the 1850s, leaving a lasting mark especially in hospitality and commerce.
He noted, however, that “our local topography largely ignores our existence, which is woven into the warp and weft of the city itself, as there is minimal reference to our community in Melbourne’s place names.”
Nominating our community’s pioneers, achievers, leaders and advocates
Kalymnios suggested renaming a laneway after Christos Lekatsas, one of Melbourne’s earliest Greek settlers, and commemorating figures such as the late Alfredo Kouris, a tireless advocate for Hellenism in Australia. While some historical figures, like Lady Diamantina Roma, already have rivers, streets, and even naval ships named after them, many more Greeks—such as Anna Matthews and Theseus (Theo) Marmaras—have made contributions that deserve similar recognition.
Community organisations are being encouraged to coordinate submissions, as collective efforts may increase the likelihood of success.
With the second round of nominations for the Remember a Local – Name a Place campaign now open, Neos Kosmos invites its readers and the wider community to put forward names of people who have left an indelible mark on our society.
Greek Place Names
A chance to correct historical imbalances
The initiative is especially focused on addressing historical underrepresentation. A recent study of over 5,000 Victorian place names revealed that 1,400 had been named after men, but only 200 honoured women. In response, the Victorian Labor Government began actively encouraging more inclusive nominations. In 2024, for the first time, more women than men—57 per cent—were recognised in new commemorative place names. That figure stood at just 26 per cent in 2022.
This presents a timely opportunity for the Greek Australian community to ensure that its pioneering women—leaders in business, the arts, science, education and community work—are also commemorated. The campaign reflects a broader effort to make the stories that define Victoria more visible, more diverse, and more reflective of its population.
How you can nominate
According to the government, anyone who has left a lasting legacy can be nominated, provided they are deceased and have a meaningful connection to the location suggested. Nominations require a brief biography, evidence of ties to Victoria, and letters of support from family or relevant organisations. Successful nominations are forwarded to local councils to be included in their “name banks” for future naming opportunities.
Place names do more than identify locations—they tell the stories of communities and celebrate cultural heritage. By nominating Greek Australians who have helped shape Victoria, the community can ensure these stories remain part of our shared public memory for generations to come.
For more information, contact (03) 8572 7991 or email geo.names@transport.vic.gov.au
Details are also available at www.land.vic.gov.au/place-naming/for-community
Let us make sure our names, our stories, and our legacy are not left behind—but placed firmly on the map of Victoria.
