Melbourne is dressed in blue and white today as the city honours the 204th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence. The day is marked with a series of solemn and festive events that celebrate the enduring bond between Greece and Australia, showcasing the contributions of the Greek-Australian community.
A memorial service is currently taking place at the Shrine of Remembrance, with a moving ceremony held in front of the Eternal Flame. Following this, a grand parade commenced, featuring Greek community groups, schools, cultural associations, and veterans marching along Birdwood Avenue to the Helleno-Australian Monument.
As they pass by the Monument, the participants will pay tribute to the heroes of Greece and Australia who sacrificed their lives for the ideals of Freedom and Justice. A moving reminder of the historical ties between the two nations, highlighting the significance of Greek heritage and the contribution of Greek Australians to Victoria’s multicultural society.
After the parade, the community is invited to a celebratory gathering at the Hellenic Museum (280 William Street), offering a variety of Greek cultural experiences, including live music, traditional dances, Greek cuisine, and art exhibitions.
As part of the anniversary observance, a flag-raising ceremony will take place at Federation Square on Tuesday, 25 March, at 9 am, accompanied by the national anthems of Greece and Australia.
A small delegation will be present to honour the ongoing presence and contributions of the Greek-Australian community in Melbourne.
The order of the parade, according to the official program, is as follows:
The Banner of 1821 of the Dormition of the Theotokos, Flags of Greece, Australia, Cyprus, and the Archdiocese carried by students of Saint John
The drum corps of the Day Schools
Greek Orthodox College of Saint John
Victoria Greek Police Force & Federal
DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS & SENIORS
Panhellenic Union of Retired Reservists
Resistance Fighters Association
Federation of Greek Seniors’ Associations
DEPARTMENTS OF EARLY & SPECIAL LEARNING
Alpha Kindergarten & Preschool
AGAPI Foundation
Welfare
FRONTIDA Foundation
GREEK COMMUNITY SCHOOLS OF MELBOURNE
Alphington Grammar School
Greek Language and Culture Schools of the Greek Community of Melbourne
SCHOOLS OF THE UNION OF COMMUNITIES & PARISHES OF THE HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA
Greek Orthodox College “Saint John”
Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong “Saint Panteleimon”
Greek Orthodox Community of Mentone “The Archangels”
Greek College Oakleigh Grammar
Greek School “Saints Anargyri”
DEPARTMENTS OF SAINT KOSMAS AITOLOS COLLEGE OF THE HOLY ARCHDIOCESE OF AUSTRALIA
Ascot Vale Branch “Saint Dimitrios” Brunswick Branch “Saint Vassilios” Coburg Branch “The Presentation of the Lord” Fawkner Branch “Saint Nektarios” Keilor East Branch “Panagia Soumela” Malvern Branch “Saint Catherine” Nunawading Branch “Saint Andrew” Richmond Branch “Holy Trinity” St. Albans Branch “Saint Paraskevi” Springvale Branch “Saint Athanasios” Thomastown Branch “The Transfiguration of the Savior” Yarraville Branch “Saint Nicholas”
INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
AHEPA Greek School
Alpha Greek School
Greek Language School “Lexis”
Greek College “Nestor”
Greek College “Homer”
Greek Educational Institutions “Paideia”
Dance Academy “Pegasus”
Greek Educational Institutions “Pythagoras”
Greek Center “Protypo”
GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS
Victorian Language School
South Oakleigh Secondary College
Clarinda Primary School
FEDERATIONS
Pan-Macedonian Union of Melbourne & Victoria Union of Thessaloniki “White Tower” Association of Halkidiki “Aristotle the Stagirite” Association of Siatista of Melbourne Philanthropic Association of Kastoria “Grammo” Pontian Association of Victoria “The Akrites of Pontus”
Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne Pan-Cretan Union of Melbourne
Panarcadian Federation of Victoria Panarcadian Panarcadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria “Kolokotronis”
Australian Federation of Pontian Associations Central Union of Pontians “Pontian Estia” Pontian Community of Melbourne and Victoria Pontian Association of Melbourne “The Euxinos Pontos”
Epirus Federations of Melbourne
Dodecanese Federation of Australia
Federation of Messinian Organisations of Victoria Association of Kalamata 23rd March Pantrifyliaki Union of Melbourne
Federation of Greek Women’s Associations
ORGANISATIONS
Cypriot Community of Melbourne & Victoria
Pan-Messenian Brotherhood “Papaflessas”
AHEPA Victoria
Pallakonian Brotherhood “Leonidas”
Austro-Greek Committee of Olympic Spirit
Greek Women of the Northern Suburbs “Anemones”
Lemnian Community of Victoria
Greek Community of Hobsons Bay
Greek Community of Box Hill and Surroundings
National Union of Greek-Australian Students
Greek Dance and Culture School “MANASIS” together with the Greek-Australian Honour Guard
Greek-Australian Scouts of Victoria
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