This has been a long journey. I was surprised to discover that matters relating the Australian Hellenic community were being neglected. I assumed they were in good hands.
I decided to take matters into my hands with help of members from the general community.
There was a sense of urgency as many of us believed that this had become a human rights issue, a matter of cultural protection and a gross misuse of identity.
Some of the mainstream media, sports organisations, and ethnic groups exploited the situation, whether knowingly or not, causing disappointment within the Australian Hellenic community.
Despite lobbying the VMC (Victorian Multicultural Commission) for several years and approaching various departments of the Victorian State Government and members of parliament for approximately eight months to two years, I have been unable to achieve the desired results.
However, I engaged in lobbying efforts with the federal government for several years.
I express my gratitude to the Federal Government for providing a response and making a significant decision based on the Prespes agreement. This decision has resulted in an agreement with an Australian community group to comply with the directions/conditions set forth by the federal government.
“The event organisers must comply with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advice and not use the term ‘Macedonia’, or maps with contentious boundaries, or the Vergina sun icon.”
It is wonderful to witness the fulfillment of the needs of both the majority and minority in our great country, Australia, where essential corrections are implemented.
I have conveyed this precedence to the Municipal Association of Victoria to ensure that other municipalities are informed accordingly.
As a result, there will no longer be any disputed country boundaries in relation to Macedonia, and the term “Macedonia” will be appropriately used. The Sun of Vergina, registered by the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization), will now solely be utilised as a national emblem by the Hellenic authorities, citizens, and those with Hellenic heritage, as per the regulations of the Hellenic Republic.
According to the Prespes agreement, it is the responsibility of the two countries, the Hellenic Republic, and the Republic of North Macedonia, to address and ensure compliance, as it was facilitated under the auspices of the United Nations (UN).
I express my gratitude to the Federal Government and the general community for making utmost efforts to adhere to the resolutions proposed by the UN, and bring about the long-awaited resolution to this matter.
