Australian Embassy, Greece

08/09/2026

Ambassador Duncan was pleased to attend the 100th Thessaloniki International Fair. During the event, she had the opportunity to hear Prime Minister Mitsotakis present his ‘Horizon Greece’ four-year agenda and visit the booths of Japan, this year’s Country of Honour. Congratulations to our colleagues at The Embassy of Japan in Greece for an excellent showcase. And as always no visit to Thessaloniki is complete without enjoying a delicious trigono to top it all off!

07/09/2026

We are delighted to see the Darlington Quartet from Western Australia featured in this year's Chalki Music Festival - Dimitris Kremastinos, presented by the Municipality of Halki in cooperation with the Κρατική Ορχήστρα Αθηνών / Athens State Orchestra.

Comprised of distinguished musicians from the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, the Quartet will perform “From Halki to Australia” on 10 September. The performance pays tribute both to island life and to the history of migration from Halki to Australia, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s, when many Halkians embarked on a new life overseas in search of opportunity.

A wonderful celebration of the enduring ties between Halki and Australia and the rich contribution of the Greek diaspora.

We wish the quartet every success for their performance and look forward to this meaningful cultural exchange which will further strengthen the cultural connections between our two countries.

Link to a lovely Neos Kosmos article in the comments.

Darlington Concerts



📸 Darlington Quartet page: https://www.facebook.com/darlingtonconcerts/posts/pfbid02c6xjgJKKUH81kLd2YCMYsPqAKjkDymPR4EGndQhvYQL8Q4F1G9RVULbr1wuKHMCml

06/09/2026

The recent finalisation of the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement creates opportunities for increased trade and investment between Australia and Bulgaria. Businesses that can understand emerging opportunities and how to navigate the new landscape will be well placed to hit the ground running when the Agreement enters into force.

We are therefore delighted to partner with the Bulgarian Australian Business Council, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", and the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to present the ‘EU-Australia Business Forum’, a unique opportunity to explore the practical implications of the Agreement and the opportunities it is expected to create for Bulgarian businesses.

Ambassador Alison Duncan will join distinguished speakers from Australia and Bulgaria to discuss emerging opportunities across a range of sectors, including technology, clean energy, critical raw materials, advanced manufacturing and agrifood.

📅 7 October 2026 | 09:00-14:00
📍 Hybrid: Aula Magna, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" & Online
🎟️ Participation is free. Registration is required: Register https://forms.gle/5rw8nKeeJUnpRN6Q7
🌐 Working language: English

The forum will bring together business leaders, government representatives, trade organisations and academia interested in developing their practical understanding of the Australia-EU FTA and expanding their network.

Participants interested in targeted business introductions can also complete the Business Interests & Matchmaking Form: https://forms.gle/LsLBT8Y5dUoG7mxf6

We look forward to welcoming companies and organisations keen to position themselves for future growth in the Australian market.

For further information, visit the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2000899870571196

04/09/2026

It is impossible to talk about the Australia-Greece relationship without talking about the Greek diaspora and the invaluable role it has played, both in shaping modern Australia and in serving as a living bridge between our two countries. In her recent interview with The National Herald, Ambassador Alison Duncan reflects on the enduring contribution of Greek-Australians and the deep bonds that connect our nations. As Ambassador Duncan notes: “If I had to describe the relationship between Greece and Australia in one word, I would say family”.

In her interview, Ambassador Duncan also explores a range of other aspects of the relationship, including the preservation of the Greek language in Australia, growing trade and investment opportunities following the conclusion of the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations, youth mobility through the Work and Holiday visa program, cooperation in research and archaeology, and our shared history, including Australia's longstanding connection with Lemnos.

We warmly thank Ms Helen Karali and The National Herald for this wonderful opportunity to discuss the Australia-Greece relationship and to once again highlight its breadth, depth and continued importance to both our countries.

Link to the full article in the comments.

Εθνικός Κήρυξ / The National Herald

19/08/2026

On World Humanitarian Day, we honour humanitarian workers around the world who risk everything to help people in crisis.

Humanity depends on humanitarian action.

Last year, 350 aid workers were killed while delivering life-saving assistance to those who need it most.

Australia, alongside the Ministerial Group, is advancing the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel to uphold international law, better protect aid workers and strengthen accountability.

06/08/2026

Since its inception 30 years ago, Australian parliamentarians of Greek heritage have played an active role in the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (PADEE-WHIA), helping strengthen the enduring bonds between Greece and the global Greek diaspora.

Ambassador Duncan was, therefore, delighted to welcome WHIA Vice President and Federal Member for Adelaide, Steve Georganas MP; NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, Sophie Cotsis MP; Federal Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack MP; WA Opposition Leader, Basil Zempilas; and former Victorian MP Hon John Pandazopoulos, to Athens in late July.

Together with parliamentarians of Greek heritage from around the world, they participated in a commemorative session at the Hellenic Parliament and held discussions with representatives of the Greek Government, Members of Parliament and regional authorities.

We were pleased that they found time to visit the Embassy and discuss their plans and initiatives aimed at further strengthening the close links between Australia and Greece.

05/08/2026

In a major step towards cleaner maritime transport, the world's largest battery-electric vessel has departed Australia for delivery to its new home in Argentina.

Built by Australian firm, Incat Tasmania, the 130-metre catamaran will operate on one of the world's busiest ferry routes between Buenos Aires in Argentina and Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay.

Powered by 15,000 batteries delivering an enormous 43 MWh of electric power, the 14,000-tonne vessel can carry up to 2,100 passengers and more than 200 vehicles.

The new vessel proves that large-scale electric ferry technology is commercially viable, while showcasing the best of Australian manufacturing, engineering and shipbuilding expertise.

If you’ve travelled with Seajets in Greece, you may well have already ridden on an Incat vessel. Several of its high-speed catamarans connect islands across the archipelago, including the Eurochampion, Champion, High Speed and Tera Jet series.

We’d love to see some of Incat’s battery-electric vessels join the Greek fleet in future!

📸 Incat Tasmania https://www.facebook.com/incattas/posts/pfbid028Nw7Z76P4KneWUVBT9DzZnL873QQdrqnAhMfVdXR3AYTXpcvttJrbepzcp8SdXwPl

04/08/2026

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Exodus of Messolonghi - the great symbol of Greece’s struggle for independence which united Philhellenes in support of the Greek cause.

Messolonghi had been under siege by Ottoman forces for almost a year. Its people were starving and could no longer resist. But rather than surrender, they planned a nighttime breakout in which the men, women and children of the city would force their way through enemy lines to freedom. The majority were slaughtered, but some made it to the island of Kalamos where they were welcomed and sheltered by the locals.

Among the refugees from Messolonghi was Aikaterini Plessou. In Kalamos, Aikaterini met Irishman James Henry Crummer who was commander of the British garrison on the island. They married in 1827 and, in 1835, they moved to Sydney where Major Crummer took up a role in the colonial administration.

Aikaterini became the first Greek woman to settle in Australia. She lived until the age of 98, had 11 children, and is buried in Waverley Cemetery.

Annual events on Kalamos honour the heroic sacrifice of the people of Messelonghi and the assistance offered by the locals to the Messolonghians. Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food and local MP for Lefkada and Kalamos, Athanasios Kavvadas, invited Ambassador Duncan to attend, as a tribute to Aikaterini.

So, it was with great pleasure that Ambassador Duncan joined Deputy Minister Kavvadas; the Mayor of Lefkada/Kalamos, Xenophon Verginis; Mayor of Messolonghi, Spyridon Diamantopoulos; the Metropolitan of Lefkada/Ithaca, His Eminence Theofilos; and local dignitaries from both places in Kalamos for events to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Exodus of the Sacred City of Messolonghi.

In his remarks, Minister Kavvadas paid tribute to Aikaterini as the mother of Greek Australians and one of the original bridges between our two countries. He was delighted to hear that a beautifully framed ambrotype of Aikaterini is housed in the State Library of New South Wales.

Αθανάσιος Ι. Καββαδάς

03/08/2026

The Australian Embassy extends its deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty while battling devastating fires in Psatha, Crete and Gytheio. Firefighters and other first responders undertake extraordinary risks every day to protect lives, communities and the natural environment. We honour their courage, dedication and sacrifice. Our thoughts are with all those affected by these tragedies, and with the firefighting teams who continue their efforts under extremely difficult conditions.

Υπουργείο Κλιματικής Κρίσης και Πολιτικής Προστασίας
Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα Ελλάδας

30/07/2026

The Australian Embassy is closely monitoring the wildfires affecting multiple areas in Greece.

Avoid affected areas, stay safe and follow the advice of local authorities.

Greek firefighters battled multiple wildfires Thursday as strong winds hampered containment efforts on the southern island of Crete and evacuations were ordered on the Cycladic islands of Paros and Andros.