Victoria’s Greek community enthusiastically responded to the call to put more Greek names on Victoria’s map, as part of the state government’s “Remember a Local – Name a Place” campaign.
Suggestions have already reached Neos Kosmos that honour those who led the way, contributed, and made sacrifices for a better future for all Hellenes born overseas, across the globe or here.
Premier Jacinta Allan In a statement to Neos Kosmos, said that “Greeks helped build Melbourne, but there aren’t enough places and streets that bear their names.”
“I want to ensure that new place names and public spaces better reflect Victoria’s rich diversity and history and honour the contributions of our multicultural community for generations to come.
“I encourage all Victorians to submit nominations and pay tribute to someone who has left a lasting legacy in their community,” the Premier said.
The President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), Bill Papastergiadis, told Neos Kosmos that “migrants have played a vital role in shaping Victoria’s economy, culture and communities.”
“Naming public spaces in their honour recognises their contributions — whether in business, the arts, public service or activism.”
“It ensures their legacy is not overlooked” the president of GCM said and added that to name a place or street is “a powerful form of representation.”
“It shows that migrant communities, like our Greek community, feel valued and that they belong. It promotes a sense of inclusion and will stand as a historic marker for future generations.”
Neos Kosmos, to help get the discussion and nominations rolling has suggested two late and much-loved figures: Anna Matthews (Matthaiou) and Theo Marmaras. Anna Matthews was one of the first to establish care of the Greek through nursing homes and welfare services. She was born in Athens, Greece and migrated to Australia in 1947. Theo Marmaras MBE born in Limnos and lived in Egypt before embarking for an Australia. He was a successful businessman and a pioneer of Australian football, who helped establish South Melbourne Hellas in 1959. Marmaras played a crucial role in uniting migrant communities through the game. His leadership and lifelong service to football earned him a place in Football Victoria’s Hall of Fame. businessman, philanthropist and community leader.
Readers have agreed, for their names to be highlighted as a reminder that the Greek community “has contributed in a transformative and lasting way to the social fabric and culture of our city,” as writer and community advocate Dean Kalymniou observed.
“Melbourne cannot be properly understood or appreciated without its Greek community, which is part of its unique identity,” he emphasised.
Beyond Anna Matthews and Theo Marmaras, below are more names of those our readers have nominated — and again urge everyone to put forward their own suggestions for who deserves to be put on the map of Victoria, as part of the Remember a Local – Name a Place campaign.
You can share your nomination by submitting your suggestion via our website (link below), by filling out the form at the end of this article, or by emailing us at editor@neoskosmos.com.au by Friday, 4 July 2025.
Below are the criteria for who can be nominated. To be eligible for recognition, the individual:
– must be deceased,
– must have left a lasting legacy, and
– must have had a long-standing connection to the area where the place or street is being proposed for naming.
Who can be nominated?
According to the Victorian Government, any individual who has left a “lasting legacy” can be nominated.
The nominee can be recognised for their contribution to “society, health, science, sport, the arts, public service or the armed forces”.
The Victorian government is activelly seeking nominations of individuals from communities currently underrepresented in Victoria’s place names such as; women, First Nations Australians, LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and those from multicultural backgrounds.”
To be eligible for commemoration, the person must: be deceased, have left a lasting legacy and have had a long-standing connection to the area where the place or street is being proposed for naming.
If you have an idea for a specific location that could be named in someone’s honour, you are encouraged to contact the relevant local council.
It’s worth noting that many Greek Australians meet these criteria.
Readers’ nominations so far
Below are some of the names nominated by the community to date.
Excluding individuals who are still living, the following have been suggested: Former Liberal MP and an architect of multiculturalism Petro Georgiou, The late Archbishop Stylianos (Charkianakis), businessman and philanthropist Zisis Dardalis, community leader Dr Spiros Moraitis, Nikos Politis, former Neos Kosmos journalist, Kostas Nikolopoulos, Anna Georgousis, Jimmy Mangopoulos, Neos Kosmos founder and Dimitris Gogos, Stathis Raptopoulos, sports journalist Manos Milios, musician and composer, Kostas Tsikaderis, businessman and philanthropist Stratis Androulakis, Dr Charalambos Paroulakis, A.J.J. Lucas (Lekatsas), George Nikakis, Alexandra Vrachami-Vrachnas and Nina Mavrokefalou (Black).
Place naming – Nominations
Which distinguished figure of the Greek community in Victoria — male or female — who is no longer living, do you believe should have a street or location named after them in the state? (Required)
Please share the name of a notable Greek Australian from Victoria who has passed away and who you believe deserves to be honoured through the naming of a street or public place.
