Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): I rise to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary of 28 October, which to Greeks the world over is known as Ohi Day. ‘Ohi’ means ‘no’. It was on this day in 1940 that the then president of Greece, Ioannis Metaxas, said ‘Ohi’ to an ultimatum made by Benito Mussolini for Greece to provide free passage for the Italian army through the Greek-Albanian border and allow occupation of specific strategic locations. In the days that followed, this ohi, this great refusal to accede to the ally of Hitler, was echoed resoundingly on the streets of every Greek city as its citizens marched in support. In refusing allegiance to the Axis powers Greece became Britain’s only ally at the time. It also became a permanent reminder to the world of what it means for courage to triumph over fear.
This year in my electorate of Northcote our large Greek community, young and old, will attend church services both virtually and in person in place of the annual march at the Shrine of Remembrance. They will honour those who stood up and fought to defend the freedom and democracy that define them. They will also honour the Anzacs who fought at their side. To our pappoúdes and giagiádes, mere children 81 years ago as Mussolini’s air raids launched overhead, I say σας ευχαριστούμε για την ελευθερία και για την δημοκρατία που προστατεύσετε για μας.
