A IA A
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 4 MAY 1977
ADDRESS AT CEREMONY TO HAND OVER CHEQUE TO THE UNESCO APPEAL
TO SAFEGUARD THE ACROPOLIS
It gives me great pleasure to be here today to present Australia's
contribution to the UNESCO Appeal for safeguarding the Acropolis.
The Acropolis and its monuments most notably the Parthenon
is one of the most magnificent achievements of modern civilisation.
It symbolises the Greek contribution to the whole of western
cdivilisation, and is still looked to as the foundation and
inspiration of our architecture. Its ruined buildings remind
us of the supremely influential ideas of the ancient Greeks. in
philosophy, science, history, literature and politics, and of
their galaxy of great men Socrates, Plato, Archimedes,
Thucydides, Pericles and Sophocles to single out only a random
few. It is on these ideas and ideals that western civilisation is
built. While the Acropolis is Greek, it is of incalculable
significance and value to us and to the people of all nations.
Unfortunately, this value has not always been appreciated.
During the seventeenth century, the Acropolis was reduced to
an expanse of ruins by a gunpowder explosion. Restoration of
the Acropolis began in the nineteenth century and has continued
to the present. Now atmospheric pollution is attacking the
Acropolis' stone surfaces, and there is an urgent need for
further restoration.
At last year's UNESCO General Conference, a Resolution cosponsored
by Australia authorised a world wide campaign of
public and private aid in co-operation with the Greek Government
to safeguard the Acropolis.
In Australia, that campaign is getting under way, and I am delighted
to see that Ethnic Radio will be mounting an Acropolis radiothon on
May.
Today we are contributing $ 100,000 to the UNESCO campaign out of
respect for the great contribution classical Greek thought and
culture has made to the world, and the contribution Greeks have
made to the development of our nation. / Greeks
2
Greeks and their children have increased the numbers of
Australians by some 300,000. Their contribution to all
aspects of Australian life has made our society more vital
and diverse.
Australia has gained a great deal from ancient and modern Greece,
from the values of which the Acropolis is a living symbol, and
from the hard work and culture of the Greeks who have become
part of our nation.
It gives me great pleasure to hand over this contribution to
safeguarding one of the world's treasures.