Melbourne to pay tribute to Giorgos Mazonakis at special memorial service
Melbourne’s Greek community will come together on Sunday, 18 October, to honour the memory of beloved Greek singer Giorgos Mazonakis, who died suddenly on 9 September 2026 at the age of 54.
A special memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in Northcote, followed by a commemorative gathering featuring music, dance and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of the popular artist.
The initiative was organised by Greek-Australian Nina Athans, who has maintained close ties with the Greek entertainment industry for many years and played an important role in bringing prominent Greek performers to Australia.
The memorial service will take place with the blessings and prayers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the support of the Archbishop of Australia.
For Athans, however, the occasion carries a deeply personal meaning. Beyond paying tribute to one of Greece’s most recognisable singers, it represents an opportunity to farewell a close friend and long-time collaborator whose kindness and generosity left a lasting impression on her life.
‘One of the best guys I’ve ever worked with’
Athans first met Mazonakis in 2004, beginning a relationship that developed into a close friendship over the years. She brought the singer to Australia in 2009 and was also involved in organising his Melbourne appearances in 2013.
Remembering him, Athans said his qualities extended far beyond his considerable talent as a performer.
“George was one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with. He was an honest, loving and kind-hearted person,” she said.
One particular memory, she explained, continues to stand out.
“At every concert, he was the only one who would ask me, ‘Nina, what do you want from me tonight?’ He wanted to know what he could do to help and make the night better. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
Their relationship also extended beyond their professional commitments.
“We had a special friendship. And with George’s sisters we had a very loving relationship, like family,” Athans said.
A farewell she could not attend
Mazonakis’ sudden death came as a profound shock to Athans, who said she was deeply affected by the loss.
Unable to attend his funeral, she decided to organise a memorial service in Melbourne so that members of the Greek community could come together to remember the singer and pay their respects.
“It cost me a lot,” she said.
“I was unable to go to his funeral and that’s why I want us all to honour him together here in Melbourne. I want people to come, pray for George and show him our love.”
Athans also extended her condolences to Mazonakis’ family, including his parents, Manolis and Cleo, and his sisters, Maria and Vasso.
She revealed that plans had already been in place for the singer to return to Australia in 2027, making his unexpected passing all the more heartbreaking.
Music, dance and community remembrance
Following the Divine Liturgy and memorial service, a special commemorative event will bring together members of Melbourne’s Greek community for an afternoon of music, cultural performances and remembrance.
The Church’s Philoptochos will offer coffee, followed by a programme featuring several entertainers and community groups.
The musical programme will include DJs Kosta Niko and Thomas Nico, MC Kostas Lazaris and Kallia.
A special highlight will be the participation of five young performers playing the bouzouki in a musical group organised by Stathis Pavlidis. The Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria and the Chora Academy dance group will also take part.
Organisers hope the gathering will provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate Mazonakis’ life through the music, traditions and cultural connections that bring Greek Australians together.
Rather than being solely an occasion of sadness, the event will offer a chance to share memories, sing familiar songs and celebrate the artist’s enduring connection with audiences in Australia.
An artist who left his mark on Greek music
Mazonakis’ death at 54 prompted an outpouring of grief across Greece and among the Greek diaspora. Over the course of his career, he established himself as a distinctive figure in Greek popular music, earning a devoted following through his voice, stage presence and memorable songs.
His funeral in Nice attracted large numbers of mourners, including colleagues, friends and fans who gathered to pay their final respects. As his coffin was carried from the church, those gathered applauded, sang his songs and called out messages of farewell, reflecting the strong emotional connection many felt towards him.
Now, Melbourne’s Greek community will have its own opportunity to honour the singer and celebrate the contribution he made to Greek music and entertainment.
‘Let us all be there’
For Athans, the memorial service on 18 October is an opportunity to give her friend the farewell she was unable to offer in person.
“I want as many people as possible to come. Let’s all be there and honour George as he deserves. He was a great artist, but above all, he was a wonderful person,” she said.
With the blessings and prayers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, the gathering will unite the community in a shared moment of prayer, remembrance and affection.
For those attending, it will be an opportunity to light a candle, remember the songs that became part of their lives and celebrate an artist whose music resonated with generations of Greek listeners.
For Athans, however, Mazonakis will always be remembered as more than a celebrated performer.
He will remain a friend, a collaborator and, in her words, “one of the best guys” she ever had the privilege of working with.
