Canberra · Greek Australian News · 31 October 2026

Evzones Canberra: A historic first official visit on Oxi Day 2026

The Hellenic Presidential Guard, the Evzones, made their first official visit to Canberra on Oxi Day 2026, following a full program of commemorations across the national capital on Wednesday 28 October.

Must-watch Video: The Evzones at the Australian War Memorial. Video: Greek City Times

In the video, the loud sound created by the nails in the soles of their heavy leather shoes, the tsarouchia, is a symbolic way of letting the fallen heroes and ancestors know that the Greek nation is still alive, strong and free.

The Evzones Canberra visit was approved by His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr Kostas Tasoulas. It was the first time a detachment of the Hellenic Presidential Guard had been present in the Australian capital.

The Evzones’ visit to Australia coincides with Hellenic Club Sydney’s centenary year. In Sydney, the Guard joined the club’s Centenary Celebrations Gala Ball at the Hyatt Regency on Saturday 24 October. The club hosts the Sydney program with support from the NSW Government, and the Canberra visit followed as part of the wider tour.

The program began at the Greek Embassy in Canberra on the eve of Oxi Day. On the day itself, the Evzones attended a doxology at St Nicholas Church and a reception at Australian Parliament House. They then laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier at the Australian War Memorial and visited the Australian Hellenic Memorial on Anzac Parade.

The day concluded with the official dinner at the Hellenic Club of Canberra, while buildings across the city were lit in blue to mark Oxi Day.

The Embassy of Greece in Australia said the anniversary “was celebrated with great splendour and emotion”. The Australian Embassy in Greece described the occasion in similar terms: “In Canberra, Oxi Day takes on special significance this year as the Evzones make their first official visit to the Australian capital.”

The Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra hosted the Evzones, while the Hellenic Club of Canberra sponsored the visit. Described by organisers as historic, the visit drew community members from across Australia.

Oxi Day marks 28 October 1940, when Greece rejected Fascist Italy’s ultimatum. This year marks the 86th anniversary of Oxi Day and the 85th of the Battle of Crete. As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese put it in his Oxi Day message, the bond between our nations is “a friendship that grew into something even greater after that day in 1940”.

A first for the Greek Embassy in 80 years

The visit began on the eve of Oxi Day. There, Ambassador of Greece to Australia Mr Stavros Venizelos welcomed the detachment of the Hellenic Presidential Guard to the Embassy of Greece.

On Tuesday 27 October, six Evzones visited the Greek Embassy in Canberra. In fact, it was the first time the Guard has been to the embassy in its 80 years, as we reported from the Greek Embassy in Canberra.

A line of Evzones and guests, including officers and clergy, stand together on a paved area in front of red shrubs and a tall flagpole flying the Greek flag. — Community guests and officials with the Evzones. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Mr Venizelos hosted the guests at the Embassy. Among them were Stergitsa Zamagias-Hill, CEO of The Hellenic Initiative Australia (THI), and Mr Stavros Kartsonas, President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra.

Arthur Spyrou also attended. He is first assistant secretary for protocol and international visits at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and previously served as Australian Ambassador to Greece. In addition, Marinis Pirpiris came from Victoria. He is a director of South Melbourne Hellas and secretary of the Greek Community of Melbourne.

Group photo on the steps of a government or official building with varied attire including formal suits, military uniforms, and casual wear, suggesting a ceremonial or community event in Greece. — Guests and the Evzones gather on the embassy steps. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Greek ceremony with traditionally dressed performers and a man in a suit speaking into a microphone in front of a Greek flag. — Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos, addresses invited guests. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Before the visit, Mr John Loukadellis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, said: “Their presence will be truly historic in Canberra.”

Greek City Times: formal award ceremony with a military officer presenting a plaque to a suited man, flanked by a woman in red and flags of Australia and the European Union in the background. — Lieutenant Commander Michail Tzinieris exchanges a commemorative plaque at the embassy. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Greek official in military uniform shakes hands with European diplomat, ceremonial setting with flags in the background. — Major Panagiotis Mimikos presents a gift during the ceremony. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Greek officials and guards in traditional attire stand in a row in front of a historic building, with flags visible in the background. — Organizers of the Hellenic Presidential Guard Visit in Australia, 2026: Nick Bourdaniotis and John Loukadellis. Photo: Father Petros Kipouros

Group of Greek and military officials standing in a line outside a building, wearing traditional costumes and uniforms, with a clock on the wall behind them. — The Evzones with Greek officers and a guest in front of the Greek Embassy in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Doxology at St Nicholas, Kingston

On Oxi Day itself, Wednesday 28 October, the Evzones began at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Kingston. There, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Canberra presided over the Doxology.

The Evzones, the Ambassador of Greece and the High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Mr Charalambos Kafkaridis, were all present. Father Petros Kipouros, the parish priest of St Nicholas, had also joined us at the embassy the day before.

Indeed, the Evzones’ visit was a major highlight of the inaugural Hellenic Week in Canberra.

View this post on Instagram

Video: Greek City Times

Evzones (Hellenic Presidential Guard) at the entrance of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra — Evzones at the entrance of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones (Hellenic Presidential Guard) standing before the iconostasis at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra — Evzones standing before the iconostasis at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones (Hellenic Presidential Guard) and a young boy in traditional dress before the sanctuary of St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra — Evzones and a young boy in traditional dress before the sanctuary at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones (Hellenic Presidential Guard) leaving the entrance beneath Australian and Greek bunting at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra — Evzones leaving the church entrance beneath Australian and Greek bunting at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Kingston, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones Canberra welcome at Parliament House

From Kingston, the Guard headed to Australian Parliament House for an Oxi Day morning tea at Parliament House. Bishop Athenagoras of Canberra and other clergy also attended.

According to the Embassy of Greece in Australia, the visit culminated at Parliament House. It said this marked “a special chapter in the history of parliamentary relations between the two countries”.

A large group of guests and clergy stands between two Evzones in the foyer of Parliament House in Canberra. — A large group of guests and clergy pose with the Evzones in Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Evzones walk in a line beside a reflection pool in the courtyard of Parliament House in Canberra. — The Evzones in the courtyard of Parliament House in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Other ministers joined us too. The Hon. Dr Anne Aly MP is Minister for Small Business, Minister for International Development and Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP is Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Members of Parliament Ged Kearney, Ash Ambihaipahar MP, Alice Jordan-Baird MP, Kara Cook MP and Zhi Soon also attended.

Senator Andrew McLachlan, Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus Mr Charalambos Kafkaridis were also there.

Furthermore, the Hellenic Club of NSW, the Greek Community of Melbourne, PRONIA, Fronditha Care, The Hellenic Initiative Australia and Oakleigh Cannons FC sent representatives. Members of the Greek-Australian community came from Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

A naval officer signs a guest book beside guests and Evzones in a room at Parliament House in Canberra. — Guests and officers sign the guest book at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, welcomed the Evzones. “More than 424,000 Australians claim Greek ancestry, and generations of Greek Australians have made outstanding contributions to our nation’s economic, cultural, civic, public and political life,” Dick said.

He also described the visit as “a very historic and important moment, not only for our Parliament but for our nation”.

“For the Greek Australian community, this visit is not simply ceremonial,” Loukadellis said. “It is deeply emotional and profoundly symbolic.” He called it “a moment of immense pride” that “brings our history to life”.

Loukadellis also paid tribute to Les Cook, the last surviving ANZAC of the Battle of Crete. Cook lived in Canberra and died earlier this year aged 103.

Milton Dick speaks at a podium with Evzones lined up behind him at Parliament House in Canberra — House of Representatives Speaker Milton Dick speaks at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

John Loukadellis speaks at a podium with Evzones behind him and guests seated in front at Parliament House in Canberra — John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, speaks at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Hon. Clare O’Neil MP is Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness and Minister for Cities, and co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians. Recalling 28 October 1940, she said: “That is the day that Greeks stood up and said no. Oxi. No to fascism.” Later, in a post marking the day, she wrote:

On 28 October 1940, Greece stood up and said ‘Oxi’. No to fascism. No to surrender. It was an extraordinary act of courage. And it’s one that matters to all of us who value our freedom.

As Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians, I had the honour of welcoming the Evzones to Canberra and Parliament House for their first official visit to our nation’s capital, as we came together to celebrate Oxi Day and honour the courage and spirit at the heart of Greek history.

Australia is stronger because of the generations of Greek Australians who have made their lives here, helped build our country and stood up for the values we share. We love the Greeks for giving the world democracy. And we’re grateful to our Greek Australian community for everything you do to help defend it.

Clare O’Neil MP, Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians

Similarly, the Hon. Michael McCormack MP, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, has Greek heritage through his grandfather. “We love traditions here in Australia, but of course, nobody does tradition like the Greeks,” McCormack said.

Meanwhile, Monique Ryan, Member for Kooyong and co-chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek Australians, spoke of the day “when the citizens of Greece stared down fascism with strength, courage, determination, and an enduring commitment to democracy”.

Clare O'Neil MP speaking at a lectern with Evzones beside her at Parliament House, Canberra — Clare O’Neil MP speaks at the Oxi Day ceremony at Parliament House. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier

In the afternoon, Australians and Greeks gathered in their hundreds to watch the Evzones at the Australian War Memorial. Their tsarouchia echoed off the stone walls as they marched past the Pool of Reflection and the Eternal Flame.

Nearby, the Roll of Honour carries the names of more than 103,000 Australians who died in war service. Among them are Greek Australians.

Two Evzones in white foustanella escorted by uniformed officers beside the Pool of Reflection at the Australian War Memorial — Evzones are escorted past the Pool of Reflection at the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Entering the Hall of Memory, the Evzones filed past the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier. They then stood guard beneath the dome, which resembles those of Orthodox churches.

Mr Stavros Venizelos and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos, the Greek military attaché, laid the first wreaths. Mr Charalambos Kafkaridis and Mr John Loukadellis followed. In silence, we honoured the sacrifices of those who came before us. Video of the Evzones at the Australian War Memorial is below.

View this post on Instagram

Video: Greek City Times

Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos carrying wreaths to the Tomb in the Hall of Memory, Australian War Memorial, as guests look on — Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos and Military Attaché Colonel Kyriakos Kyriakakos lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in the Hall of Memory. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Two men bowing as a wreath of flowers is placed at the Tomb in the Hall of Memory, Australian War Memorial, with guests standing behind — Cyprus High Commissioner Charalambos Kafkaridis and John Loukadellis, president of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, place a wreath at the Tomb. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Portrait view of Evzones standing in the Hall of Memory behind the Tomb, with fresh floral wreaths laid on the floor in the foreground — Floral tributes lie at the Tomb as the Evzones stand watch in the Hall of Memory. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

“The presence of the Evzones was a great honour, for the first time in the Australian capital city,” Kafkaridis said. He added that Oxi Day carries particular meaning for Cyprus:

“For our Cyprus, the day the Hellenic people said OXI (NO) to fascism means a great deal because the people of Cyprus gave a great deal to the struggle for the freedom of all peoples. Thousands of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots fought on the side of the Allies, while hundreds lost their lives. Honour and glory to all our heroes in Greece and Cyprus during World War Two and during the resistance to the occupiers.”

Charalambos Kafkaridis, High Commissioner of Cyprus

Ceremonial guards in white uniforms and plumed helmets march in formation at the Greek City Times site, with a grand neoclassical building and a central fountain in the background. — The traditional Evzone high-step in front of the Australian War Memorial’s dome. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones in white foustanella standing in the foreground with flags flying and the view along Anzac Parade stretching away from the Australian War Memorial — Evzones on the terrace of the Australian War Memorial with flags and Anzac Parade behind. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones in foustanella and red caps walking along a stone wall on the grounds of the Australian War Memorial, with flags and the Memorial building behind — Evzones walk the grounds of the Australian War Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones in white foustanella walking on the lawn of the Australian War Memorial past uniformed officers and children watching — Visitors watch as the Evzones walk through the Australian War Memorial grounds. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Australian Hellenic Memorial on Anzac Parade

After paying tribute to the fallen, the Presidential Guard marched across the broad expanse outside the Australian War Memorial. They crossed Anzac Parade to the Australian Hellenic Memorial.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Greek Deputy Prime Minister Yannis Haralambopoulos dedicated the memorial on 21 May 1988. Since then, it has been the focal point of commemoration for Canberra’s Hellenic community.

Evzones in foustanella standing in a line on the stone paving in front of a tall column at the Australian Hellenic Memorial — Evzones stand in formation at the Australian Hellenic Memorial, Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The memorial honours those who died in the Second World War campaign in Greece and on Crete. In 1941, about 34,000 Australians and New Zealanders fought alongside Greeks there.

At the memorial, the Guard paid tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for freedom. They stood at attention while we sang the Greek national anthem, the Hymn to Liberty.

Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos speaks at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in Canberra — Greek Ambassador Stavros Venizelos speaks at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Greek and military officials stand in a line for a formal ceremony at a monument, with uniformed personnel and clergy in attendance. — Officials and Evzones line up at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Guests in suits and uniforms gathered on the stone plaza of the Australian Hellenic Memorial in front of cypress trees as Evzones stand to one side — Official guests gather on the plaza at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Group of Greek ceremonial guards and officials standing in a line beside a tall monument under trees, during a formal event at a public square. — Group photo at the Australian Hellenic Memorial in Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Group of people in ceremonial attire standing in front of a tall monument during a formal commemorative event, with uniformed personnel and civilians posing for a photo. — The Evzones with Canberra’s community and guests at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Group of Greek military personnel and officials in uniform greet a man in traditional Greek costume at a monument, outdoor sunny setting. — An Evzone with Australian Defence Force personnel at the Australian Hellenic Memorial. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones Canberra finale at the Hellenic Club

The day finished at the Hellenic Club of Canberra in Woden. At 6:30pm, the Evzones marched in from Matilda Street as members of the community lined the way with Greek flags.

Then came a Guard of Honour at the club entrance, followed by the official Oxi Day dinner in Kivotos.

The Greek community welcomed the Evzones “in an atmosphere filled with emotion and national pride,” the Embassy of Greece in Australia said.

Evzones march along a city street in the evening, crowds on footpath — The Evzones march to the Hellenic Club of Canberra as crowds line the footpath. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Large crowd of spectators with Greek flags, evening — Spectators with Greek flags await the Evzones at the Hellenic Club of Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Evzones posing with families and children — The Evzones with families and children at the Hellenic Club of Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Two men in formal suits standing in front of a modern building with Greek ceremonial guards on either side, part of a public event outside a city centre venue. — Guests pose between the Evzones at the Hellenic Club of Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Group of nine people, including two Greek men in traditional attire flanking on either side, posing in a modern showroom with a wall featuring a geometric pattern and the words 'End Club' in the背景. — Guests with the Evzones at the Hellenic Club of Canberra. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

Across the city, 40 Greek flags were raised to pay tribute to Oxi Day. That evening, Canberra landmarks also lit up in blue to mark Oxi Day, just as they did for Greek Independence Day in March.

A Canberra building lit in blue at night — Canberra landmarks lit in blue for Greek Independence Day in March 2026. Photo: Nick Bourdaniotis

The Embassy of Greece in Australia extends its special thanks to Mr John Loukadellis, President of the Greek Orthodox Community and Church of Canberra, and Mr Stavros Kartsonas, President of the Hellenic Club of Canberra, for their invaluable support and contribution to the organisation of this historic visit.

The Embassy also expresses its sincere appreciation to the Greek-Australian community, whose participation highlighted its strong ties with the homeland.

The Embassy of Greece in Australia

The visit has strengthened the already solid relationship between Australia and Greece.

Looking back on Oxi Day 2026 in Canberra, the visit was a significant success for the Greek Australian community in the nation’s capital.

Photo Gallery: The Hellenic Presidential Guard’s 2026 Visit to Canberra

[envira-gallery id=”610436″]

All photos are copyrighted by Nick Bourdaniotis for Greek City Times

Originally published by Greek City Times.