A special memorial service in memory of beloved singer Giorgos Mazonakis, who passed away suddenly at the age of just 54, will be held in Melbourne on Sunday 18 October 18, at the Cathedral of Our Lady “Axion Esti” in Northcote.
The initiative belongs to expatriate Nina Athans, who has maintained a close relationship with the Greek art scene for many years and had contributed significantly to the presence of leading Greek artists in Australia.
The memorial service is being held with the blessings and prayers of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and, as Nina Athans noted, with the paternal love and support of the Archbishop of Australia.
For her, however, the event is not just a tribute to a great artist. It is a personal farewell to a man with whom she was connected through a special friendship and a long-standing collaboration.
“He was one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with”
Nina Athans met George Mazonakis in 2004 and since then a special relationship has developed between them. She was the one who brought him to Australia in 2009, and was also involved in organising his appearances in Melbourne in 2013.
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Nina Athans described Mazonakis not only as a great singer, but mainly as a person who stood out for his character and humanity.
“George was one of the best guys I’ve ever worked with. He was an honest, loving and kind-hearted person,” she said.
She even remembers a particular habit of the singer, which, she says, reflected his character.
“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.”
Her relationship with Mazonakis, as she explained, was not limited to their collaboration.
“We had a special friendship. And with George’s sisters we had a very loving relationship, like family.”
“I couldn’t go to his funeral”
The sudden death of Giorgos Mazonakis deeply shocked Nina Athans.
“It cost me a lot,” she says, explaining that one of the reasons she decided to organise the memorial service in Melbourne was her desire to be able, in this way, to honour him as he deserves.
“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. My deepest condolences to Mr. Manolis, Mrs. Cleo and sisters Maria and Vasso.”
She herself remembers that there were already plans for Giorgos Mazonakis’ return to Australia in 2027. However, fate had different plans.
The event after the memorial service
After the Divine Liturgy and the memorial service, a special event dedicated to the memory of George Mazonakis will follow.
The Church’s Philoptochos will offer coffee and will be followed by a musical and cultural program, in which artists and members of the community will participate.
The program will feature DJ Kosta Niko along with DJ Thomas Nico, MC Kostas Lazaris, and Kallia.
A special place will be given to five children with their bouzouki, in a musical group organised by Stathis Pavlidis, while the Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria and the Chora Academy dance group will also participate in the event.
The aim is for the event to be not only a moment of remembrance and emotion, but also a beautiful meeting of the Greek diaspora, with singing, music and traditional Greek dances, dedicated to the memory of an artist who was particularly loved by the Greek public in Australia.
An artist who left his own mark
Giorgos Mazonakis passed away on 9 September 2026, at the age of 54, causing shock in the artistic world and deep sadness among the hundreds of thousands of people who followed and loved him.
The news of his death plunged the Greek music scene into mourning. Colleagues, friends and fans rushed to bid him farewell, while at the funeral service in Nice, thousands of people gathered to say their final “goodbye.”
His body was carried out of the church to applause, while the crowd sang his favourite songs and shouted “Hello, Giorgo” and “Immortal.”
In Melbourne, the Greek community is now preparing to honour him in its own way.
“Let us all be there”
For Nina Athans, October 18th is a day that holds special emotional significance.
“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.”
The memorial service and the event that will follow aspire to unite the Melbourne community in a shared moment of prayer, remembrance and love.
With the blessings and prayers of the Archdiocese and the fatherly love of the Archbishop, the Greek community will have the opportunity to light a candle in memory of Giorgos Mazonakis and keep alive the memory of an artist who marked an entire era with his voice and songs.
For Nina Athans, however, George will never be just the popular singer.
He will remain the friend, the collaborator and, as she herself describes him, “one of the best guys” she has ever met.
