The Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yiannis Loverdos, led a delegation of members of the Greek Government to The Greek Center, as part of a national tour visiting every major Australian capital city.

On the evening of 16 October, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) in association with the Consulate General of Greece in Melbourne hosted a welcome reception for the Minister at the Greek Center.

The reception followed a one-on-one meeting with the Greek Delegation and the GCM Board of Management as well as a second meeting of members of the Greek mission and a select group drawn from the Melbourne community to discuss citizenship pathways and the upcoming change to Greek legislation and process.

The meetings were followed by a welcome reception where invited guests included The Hon Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, and Assistant Minister for International Education, His Grace Bishop Evmenios of the Holy Diocese of Chora, The Ambassador of Greece to Australia and New Zealand, community & business leaders.

Co-host Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Ms. Dimitra Georgantzoglou, welcomed the visiting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yiannis Loverdos, and the official delegation from Greece, acknowledging the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Mr. Stavros Venizelos, and the Secretaries General of the Ministry of the Interior. She noted Melbourne’s distinction as one of the largest Greek-populated cities outside Greece and affectionately referred to it as “the most Hellenic city abroad.”

Ms. Georgantzoglou expressed her gratitude to the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria and its President, Mr. Bill Papastergiadis OAM, for their ongoing cooperation and hospitality. She praised the strong cultural identity of Melbourne’s Greek diaspora and their unwavering dedication to preserving Greek language, customs, and traditions, which continue to connect the community with the homeland.

GCM President Bill Papastergiadis OAM, welcomed guests to the Greek Centre, describing it as a landmark institution symbolising the history and vitality of Hellenism in Australia. He extended a warm greeting to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador of Greece, the accompanying officials, and Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Julian Hill MP.

Mr. Papastergiadis highlighted the unity that defines Melbourne’s Greek community, underscoring the collaboration among cultural, religious, sporting, and professional organisations, as well as the vital role of media and welfare groups. This collective effort, he noted, has enabled the community to build on the foundations laid by earlier generations. He concluded by thanking the Deputy Minister for his visit and Mr. Hill for his continued support, particularly in enhancing the Greek Center’s facilities and cultural spaces.

The Hon. Julian Hill MP, Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, delivered a light-hearted yet sincere address, reflecting on his upbringing in Melbourne and the close ties between Greek Australians and their heritage. He warmly welcomed the visiting Deputy Minister, describing Melbourne as “one of the great Greek cities of the world,” home to nearly half a million Australians of Greek ancestry.

Mr. Hill spoke of Greece’s enduring global legacy, recognising its contribution to art, philosophy, democracy, and civic values. He praised the Greek community’s unity and contribution to Australian life, while reaffirming the strength of bilateral relations between Australia and Greece. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the Greek Community of Melbourne for its leadership and ongoing role in enriching the nation’s multicultural fabric.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Mr. Yiannis Loverdos, delivered a passionate and heartfelt speech, expressing deep appreciation for the hospitality shown by Melbourne’s Greek community. Reflecting on his extensive tour across Australia and New Zealand, he said that while the journey was long, the warmth and pride of the diaspora made every moment worthwhile.

Mr. Loverdos spoke of Greece’s true essence — not limited to geography but rooted in its enduring principles, civilisation, and culture. He highlighted the importance of unity among Greeks worldwide and praised the Melbourne community as a model of cooperation and collective spirit. Emphasising that Hellenism extends far beyond Greece’s borders, he affirmed that “you are a living part of Greece – in our hearts, there is no distance.”

At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr. Loverdos invited all guests to join in singing the Greek National Anthem – a moving moment that underscored the shared pride and emotion of the evening. The reception then continued in a warm and festive atmosphere, with guests enjoying traditional food, drinks, and conversation in celebration of the enduring ties between Greece and Australia.