Thousands of students and representatives of Greek brotherhoods and organisations took part in a parade at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne to commemorate Greek National Day.
This year’s celebration was particularly special, as it marked by the presence of the Hellenic Presidential Guard. The iconic ceremonial infantry unit bears a significant value for Greek people all over the world, who regard the ‘Evzones’ as symbols of the highest Greek values: democracy, freedom and bravery.
Also, Schools children of all ages, families community representatives, as well as religious and political leaders, gathered to pay tribute to the handful of greeks who on the 25th of March 1821 vowed to liberate Greece from the Ottomans.
Among the political leaders who attended the parade were Alan Tudge, MP Federal Member for Aston, Minister for Citizenship & Multicultural Affairs, Ms Ekaterini Xagorari Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria and The Hon. Mathew Guy MP, Member for Bulleen, Leader of the State Opposition.
We asked Mr Andrews about the name dispute between Greece and FYROM and he reiterated the view, that was first expressed by the late Gough Whitlam, that Macedonia is as Greek as the Parthenon.
