Greek Australians Celebrate Independence Day with Parades

Christopher Enolpe

March 23rd, 2025

Greek Australians Greek Independence Day — Greek Australians parade in Sydney dressed in revolution-era costumes. Credit: Consulate General of Greece, Sydney

Thousands of Greek Australians took to the streets throughout the country to celebrate the Greek Independence Day on Sunday.

In Sydney, the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales (GOCNSW) in conjunction with the Parishes-Communities of NSW of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, held a Greek Independence Day celebration.

Greek Australians Independence Day — Women dressed in traditional clothes parade in Sydney. Credit: Consulate General of Greece, Sydney

A memorial service and wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Place Cenotaph, Sydney, was followed by a student parade to the Sydney Opera House, where students sang the Greek National Anthem.

Η Ελλάδα ζει στο Σύδνεϋ!
Ο εθνικός ύμνος ακούγεται μπροστά από την Όπερα του Σύδνεϋ για τους εορτασμούς της Εθνικής Εορτής της 25ης Μαρτίου!

Χρόνια πολλά! pic.twitter.com/eMBCONAgqe

— Consulate General of Greece in Sydney (@GreeceInSydney) March 23, 2025

In Melbourne the parade was held in the heart of the commemorative precinct, reaffirming the enduring bond between Greece and Australia.

The 2025 Greek National Day celebrations featured a series of significant events, including a commemorative service, a vibrant parade, a cultural festival, and a flag-raising ceremony.

Greek Australians plan events commemorating Independence Day on March 30

The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia will honor the historic 1821 Greek Revolution with a series of commemorative events on Sunday, March 30.

The day will begin at 11.00 am with a celebratory Doxology at the Cathedral of Archangels Michael and Gabriel, conducted by the Community’s clergy. Several official guests, along with the GOCSA Executive and Supervisory Committees, teaching staff, and students, will be in attendance.

Australia’s capital is also putting on a series of events to celebrate. The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra is hosting a special Greek Independence Day luncheon at the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden on Sunday, March 30, at 1pm.

Greek Australians preserve their Greek heritage

Greek Australians have been actively preserving their Greek heritage across generations. They maintain their cultural identity through language, traditions, religion, and community events. Many Greek Australians continue to speak Greek at home, attend Greek Orthodox churches, and participate in cultural festivals such as the Antipodes Festival in Melbourne and Greek Independence Day parades.

Greek schools and community organizations play a crucial role in teaching younger generations about their heritage, ensuring the continuity of Greek customs, music, dance, and cuisine. Additionally, strong family ties and intergenerational storytelling help keep Greek history and values alive.

Despite the challenges of assimilation, many Greek Australians find a balance between their Greek roots and Australian identity, fostering a vibrant and enduring Greek presence in Australia.

As of the 2021 Australian Census, there are approximately 424,750 people of Greek ancestry in Australia. Of these, around 92,300 were born in Greece, while the rest are Australian-born with Greek heritage.

Greek Australians form one of the largest and most established ethnic communities in the country, with significant populations in cities like Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth. Melbourne, in particular, is often considered the city with the largest Greek population outside of Greece