A story full of emotion began in October 2024, when, with the blessing of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the “living” museum Our People, Their Stories opened its online doors.
On the occasion of its first anniversary, on Saturday, October 4, an anniversary event was held at the Australian National Maritime Museum, during which the project was officially presented in Sydney.
The event was attended by Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, accompanied by her Special Advisor, Anna Panagiotarea, and other associates.
At the start of the visit, Archbishop Makarios and Minister Mendoni were guided to the Australian National Migration Monument, known as the “Welcome Wall,” as well as to the exhibition areas of the warship displayed at the National Maritime Museum. Upon entering the hall where the event took place, the Minister was warmly welcomed by young members of the Lyceum Club of Greek Women in Sydney, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers. In honor of her Chian origin, a young boy was dressed in a traditional costume from Chios.
The anniversary event began with the screening of an audiovisual tribute, featuring selected stories recorded as part of the project Our People, Their Stories. This was followed by addresses from Archbishop Makarios and Minister Mendoni.
Presenting the project, Archbishop Makarios focused on its true protagonists — the pioneering Greek immigrants who shared the stories and struggles of their lives.
He welcomed the presence of several among them at the event and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their personal contribution to the flourishing of Hellenism on the fifth continent.
The Archbishop also noted his deep emotion that the stories preserved by this “living” Museum have touched hearts not only in Australia but also in Greece and around the world, as evidenced by the more than 11 million views they have received.
He went on to thank all contributors to the project, particularly its Director and visionary, Markelos Petropoulos, praising his zeal and dedication. He also extended thanks to the sponsors and supporters, making special mention of the Ministry of Culture of Greece, which has placed the project Our People, Their Stories under its auspices and recently granted financial support of €120,000.
Addressing Minister Mendoni personally, the Archbishop acknowledged that she “embraced our ambitious vision from the very beginning, supported our initiative wholeheartedly, and offered what the Greeks of the Diaspora need most — the moral assurance that the State of our beloved homeland stands close to us, listens to us, cares for us, and honors, in practice, the history written by Greeks beyond the borders of Greece.”
Concluding his speech, Archbishop Makarios turned to the new generation of the Greek Diaspora — “the children and grandchildren of those remarkable people who, in difficult times, watered with their sweat the mighty tree of Hellenism in the Antipodes.”
“What we enjoy today,” he emphasized, “is largely the fruit of that tree, which took root deeply through toil and sacrifice. Get to know the stories of our people — your parents and grandparents — and be inspired by their example to face the challenges of modern times. Do not overlook this precious legacy, for those who ignore their history are like trees that sever their roots.”
For her part, Minister Mendoni expressed her respect and admiration for the Greeks who emigrated during the difficult post-war years and praised the Holy Archdiocese of Australia for its initiative to record their stories.
“The Greek Ministry of Culture, recognizing cultural memory as the foundation of our national identity, warmly embraced this effort by placing it under its auspices,” she said. “We are committed that this auspices will not be merely symbolic but also substantive.
We will support every effort that strengthens the cultural identity of Hellenism abroad and promotes the extroversion of Greek culture. Our People, Their Stories is a model of such an effort and will undoubtedly serve as a reference point for Greek cultural presence in Australia and internationally.”
Following the speeches, guests were invited to an exhibition of historical artifacts related to the migration history of the Greek Diaspora in Australia.
The ceremony was officiated by Professor Vrasidas Karalis of the University of Sydney, Archon of the Great Church of Christ. Among those present were the Chorebishops and Bishops of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia; Archimandrite Ignatios Mourtzanos, Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Larissa and Tyrnavos; the Ambassador of Greece to Australia, Stavros Venizelos; the Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus, Nikolaos Varellas; the Consuls General of Greece in Sydney and Melbourne, Georgios Skemperis and Dimitra Georgantzoglou; the Commercial Attaché of the Greek Embassy, Chrysoula Prokopaki; the Vice President and Secretary-General of the Archdiocesan Council, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, Theodos Penklis and Nikolaos Papanasiou; as well as other Archons and Professor Georgios Frangis of Charles Darwin University.
