Many generations of Melbourne’s Greek community gathered at Parliament House on Thursday, to remember the day the Greeks said ‘Ohi’ (‘No’) to the invading Italian forces.
t was an example of heroism for the rest of the world.
It was the 70th anniversary of 28 October, 1940, when the Greek government answered “No” to a request by Mussolini to enter Greece on behalf of the Axis Powers.
Army veterans, politicians, school children and members of the Royal Australian Infantry Corps met before the Greek and Australian flags to remember Greece’s involvement in World War Two.
Premier John Brumby commended Greek Australians for the values they have instilled in the broader community, which he said were “hard work, family and investment, particularly in education”.
He said he understood the importance of ‘Ohi’ Day in celebrating the efforts of Greece on that occasion, but also in inspiring the ANZACS.
“This is to remember Greeks and Australians fighting side by side,” he said.
“May we continue to celebrate the loud and proud, ‘No!'”
Mr Brumby also awarded 31 children between years one and 12, prizes for their essays, drawings and poems celebrating Hellenes at war.
Anastasia Kiri Vassiliadis, a student at St Dimitrios Greek School, won second prize in the year 10 to 12 category for her essay.
She says she worked on the award-winning paper with her papou, Kostandios Kalaitzidis, who fought in World War Two and died less than two weeks ago.
“I don’t think I could have done it without his help,” the teenager said.
Over a traditional Greek afternoon tea of croissants, quiches and scones, Eva Paraskevakis picked up an encouragement award for her poem about the colours of war.
The 13 year-old said she had worked on her poem with her father, whose father fought in Crete. Eva’s father, Kosta, immigrated to Australia when he was eight years old.
He said he was “bloody proud” of his daughter.
“And then to see the two flags flying together – what better countries are there?” he said.
State Labor members Jenny Mikakos, John Pandazopoulous and Tony Lupton were there, as were members of the Hellenic sub-branch of the Returned and Services League (RSL), who organised the event.
Hellenic sub-branch President Peter Stathopoulos spoke of October 28 as “a major landmark in Greek history.”
“It was an example of heroism for the rest of the world,” he said.
Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria (GOCMV) President, Bill Papastergiades, told the crowd that, as a second-generation Greek, Ohi Day has personal significance.
“Days like today have not only historical significance, but also represent a big part of the lives of so many first-generation Greek Australians living here in Australia,” he said.
