I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
I’m delighted to join you in officially welcoming His All-Holiness to Australia.
This is a historic occasion – and a great honour for our nation.
His All-Holiness’s last visit to Australia 28 years ago is remembered by Australia’s Greek Orthodox community with great warmth and appreciation.
It was the first-ever visit by an Ecumenical Patriarch to Australia.
An uplifting moment for Orthodox Christians across the nation.
A profound demonstration of the connection between the birthplace and home of your faith – and the new home and life so many had built in Australia.
This visit by His All-Holiness carries its own special significance.
Because it coincides with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Over those hundred years, the Archdiocese has done so much to bring people together and share the spirit of love and compassion that is at the heart of the Christian faith.
Your church has nurtured a sense of belonging, helped people in need, and supported the flourishing of your community.
I was honoured to join my dear friend Archbishop Makarios and the congregation at the Greek Orthodox Church in Kogarah for the Easter Resurrection Service earlier this year.
To witness a living and very beautiful tradition and to celebrate a faith that draws together millions of people around the world, including the extraordinary Greek-Australian community.
As someone who has had the honour of representing Marrickville for nearly 30 years and called the inner west home for even longer, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable contribution generations of Greek Australians have made to our nation.
People whose aspiration, hard work, good humour and warm hearts are an irreplaceable part of modern Australia’s success story.
People driven by the determination to pass on a better life and greater opportunity to the next generation.
Today, in that same spirit, as we celebrate this historic visit and the centenary it honours – we look to the future.
Today, I am proud to announce that our Government will contribute up to $25 million to fund much-needed restoration works here at Cleveland Street in Redfern.
An investment that will benefit and serve the whole community.
Helping restore this historic Cathedral.
Upgrading St Andrews Theological College.
And helping to build a new Great Hall, Library and Museum.
This is about honouring and preserving centuries of tradition.
Sharing knowledge with the whole nation and passing it down to future generations.
And nourishing aspiration for the next 100 years of community and faith.
Your All-Holiness, the values of respect, kindness, understanding and compassion are as old as the Christian faith itself.
And yet when we look around the world today, these values have never been more relevant or more vital.
Your work over many years has fostered interfaith dialogue, and has built bridges between communities.
Your commitment to the environment has inspired so many to show greater care for the world we will pass on to future generations.
And your spiritual leadership has given hope and solace to millions of people around the globe.
Looking back on your last visit to Australia, you spoke of it as a “blessed experience”.
May this visit be similarly blessed, and filled with the same sense of community and love.
Your All-Holiness, you are most welcome, once again, to Australia.
