{"id":24494,"date":"2026-10-28T09:48:44","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/28\/evzones-parliament-house-visit-marks-oxi-day-in-canberra\/"},"modified":"2026-10-28T09:48:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T09:48:44","slug":"evzones-parliament-house-visit-marks-oxi-day-in-canberra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/10\/28\/evzones-parliament-house-visit-marks-oxi-day-in-canberra\/","title":{"rendered":"Evzones Parliament House Visit Marks Oxi Day in Canberra"},"content":{"rendered":"


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CANBERRA, October 2026 \u2014 The Evzones of the Hellenic Presidential Guard visited Parliament House on Wednesday for an Oxi Day morning tea, during their first official visit to the national capital.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra hosted the Evzones at Parliament House, while the Hellenic Club of Canberra<\/a> sponsored the visit. Clergy, including His Grace Bishop Athenagoras, also attended.<\/p>\n

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A large group of guests and clergy pose with the Evzones in Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, said the visit carried deep meaning.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the Greek Australian community, this visit is not simply ceremonial,\u201d<\/em> Loukadellis said. \u201cIt is deeply emotional and profoundly symbolic.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more: Evzones Make Historic First Visit to the Greek Embassy in Canberra After 80 Years<\/p>\n

Seeing the Evzones in Canberra is \u201ca moment of immense pride\u201d<\/em> for Australians of Greek heritage, Loukadellis said. He added that it \u201cbrings our history to life\u201d<\/em> and strengthens the connection between generations.<\/p>\n

Loukadellis also paid tribute to Les Cook, the last surviving ANZAC of the Battle of Crete. Cook lived in Canberra and died earlier this year aged 103.<\/p>\n

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Guests and officers sign the guest book at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Evzones at Parliament House<\/h3>\n

House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick welcomed the Evzones to Parliament House. \u201cMore than 424,000 Australians claim Greek ancestry, and generations of Greek Australians have made outstanding contributions to our nation\u2019s economic, cultural, civic, public and political life,\u201d<\/em> Dick said.<\/p>\n

Clare O\u2019Neil, Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities and co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians, lives in Oakleigh. She said the community \u201cenriches the life of me and my family every single day\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Recalling 28 October 1940, O\u2019Neil said: \u201cThat is the day that Greeks stood up and said no. Oxi. No to fascism.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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The Evzones in the courtyard of Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Similarly, former Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina, has Greek heritage through his grandfather. \u201cWe love traditions here in Australia, but of course, nobody does tradition like the Greeks,\u201d<\/em> McCormack said.<\/p>\n

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Dr Monique Ryan MP and Senator Andrew McLachlan CSC attended, as did Ambassador of Greece Stavros Venizelos and High Commissioner of Cyprus Haralambos Kafkarides.<\/p>\n

In addition, the Hellenic Club of NSW, the Greek Community of Melbourne, PRONIA, Fronditha Care, The Hellenic Initiative Australia and Oakleigh Cannons FC sent representatives.<\/p>\n

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The Evzones stand behind a speaker at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oxi Day and the Battle of Crete<\/h3>\n

Oxi Day marks 28 October 1940, when Greece rejected Fascist Italy\u2019s ultimatum. Later, in 1941, about 34,000 Australians and New Zealanders fought alongside Greeks in Greece and on Crete.<\/p>\n

This year marks the 86th anniversary of Oxi Day and the 85th of the Battle of Crete.<\/p>\n

The Evzones, who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, are visiting Sydney and Canberra from 22 to 29 October.<\/p>\n

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A speaker at the Oxi Day ceremony at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After leaving Parliament House, the Evzones laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial<\/a> on Wednesday afternoon. Then, at 6:30pm, the Guard is due to march into the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden.<\/p>\n

Source: Greek City Times<\/em><\/p>\n

Photo gallery of the Evzones at Parliament House in Canberra<\/em><\/h3>\n

All photos are copyrighted by Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times<\/em><\/p>\n

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