Adelaide is set to formalise a sister-city agreement with Athens, a move that underscores the enduring influence of the Greek-Australian community in South Australia and opens new avenues for cooperation on global challenges, particularly climate change.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) stems from shared environmental experiences. During a visit to Athens in July 2023, Adelaide City Councillor Mary Couros witnessed firsthand the intense summer heat and widespread wildfires that plagued the Greek capital. These common climate pressures have shaped the foundation of the MoU, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental collaboration.
Support for the agreement has been robust on both sides. Adelaide’s City Community Services and Culture Committee has endorsed the draft MoU, while the Athens Municipal Council has also given its backing.
Federal MP Steve Georganas, a long-time advocate for closer ties between Greece and Australia, welcomed the move, calling it “long overdue.”
“It’s fantastic to see both the City of Adelaide and the City of Athens taking this important next step,” Georganas said.
“Adelaide has often been called the ‘Athens of the South’, a reflection of our longstanding cultural ties dating back to the Don Dunstan era. This agreement simply formalises what has always been a strong and meaningful connection.”
Georganas noted that the sister-city relationship has the potential to foster collaboration across a wide range of sectors, including education, tourism, innovation, and language preservation.
He hopes that his four meetings with Athens Mayor Harry Boukas whom he described as “deeply committed to environmental issues” have helped to solidify the direction and momentum of the partnership.
The initiative has also resonated with Adelaide’s Greek-Australian business community. Restaurateur Andrew Papadakis, owner of Dino’s on Hindley Street, pointed to the shared culinary culture between the two cities. He noted that food and lifestyle trends often move in both directions, citing Adelaide’s early adoption of the modern brunch movement as an influence that later took root in Athens.
For Kosta Koutsonas, board member of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry South Australia (HACCI SA), the diversity between the two cities only enriches the relationship.
“What we’re seeing is a cultural renaissance for Greek Australians in Adelaide,” Koutsonas said, adding that this partnership offers a valuable opportunity to celebrate differences while deepening shared cultural roots.
Consul-General Alexandra Theodoropoulou highlighted the people-to-people connections at the heart of the proposal, pointing to the many Greek Australians serving in public roles across Adelaide. She sees significant potential for cooperation in education, research, tourism, language, and even viticulture.
The final step in formalising the sister-city relationship rests with Adelaide’s Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, who is expected to present the MoU to the full City Council next Tuesday.
“This is a significant and meaningful step for Adelaide but especially for us Greeks, who are incredibly proud of our heritage,” said Georganas.
“Thousands of South Australians travel to Athens each year, and for many in our community, Athens is more than a destination it’s a place of deep personal and cultural connection. With generations of Greek Australians now calling Adelaide home, this formal recognition of our ties with Athens is truly special.”
