Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Arts Minister Simon Crean and Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Senator Kate Lundy today announced a $2 million investment towards an Antipodes Centre for Greek Culture, Heritage and Language in Melbourne.
The Prime Minister made the announcement today at the Antipodes Lonsdale Street Glendi - Melbourne's renowned Greek Festival.
The new cultural centre will be in the heart of Melbourne's Greek Community as part of a multipurpose building on the corner of Lonsdale and Russell Streets in the CBD.
The centre will recognise and celebrate the immeasurable contribution Australia's Greek community has made to our society and acknowledge the special cultural and historical connections between Greece and Australia.
The state of the art facility will showcase the Greek community's proud history, displaying valuable archives built up over decades and host special exhibitions and performances.
It will also provide support to new and existing Greek migrants through programs run by the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria.
The Greek Orthodox Community has a long history in running successful cultural activities in Melbourne including the Greek Film Festival and the Antipodes Festival, which is the largest celebration of Greek culture outside of Greece.
Established in 1897, the Greek Orthodox Community has provided $6.2 million towards the project including $1.2 million from donations alone.
The $2 million investment from the Gillard Labor Government demonstrates our commitment to programs that build on the strength of the nation's renowned cultural diversity.
Australia has changed significantly over the past two decades and we now have greater diversity in our population than ever before.
As a Government we recognise the significant contribution made by the Greek community.
Our nation has been enriched by the contribution of generations of Greek families who have settled in Australia, raised their families and built strong communities here.
Greek Australians have played an important part in our national story and Greek culture has inspired great art, scholarship, academia and architecture.
As the Australian Government works towards the release of the first National Cultural Policy in almost 20 years, this new centre will help highlight and celebrate Australia's diverse cultural heritage.