‘Opa!’: Marrickville officially becomes Little Greece precinct in historic ceremony

Marrickville officially became the Little Greece precinct over the weekend in a nod to its large and significant Greek community and history.

Marrickville, long the epicentre of Greece and Greeks in Sydney, officially marked its Hellenic history and significance over the weekend in a historic naming ceremony.

In front of a packed crowd, and with a backdrop of blue and white Greek flags, Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne and Councillor Zoi Tsardoulias – who organised the event – unveiled the bronze plaque officially declaring the suburb the ‘Little Greece’ precinct.

Cr Tsardoulias’ late husband Emanuel was a Marrickville councillor for six years, a one-time deputy mayor and stalwart of the Greek community. Cr Tsardoulias was voted one of the three Marrickville councillors on the Inner West Council in December.

The official naming has long been touted and was delayed by a year due to Covid, but the Greek community from across Marrickville and surrounding suburbs attended in their hundreds on June 18.

Marrickville officially became the Little Greece precinct at a naming ceremony on June 18. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

The Hestia’s Migration art mural in Marrickville. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

The Little Greece precinct moniker recognises the large Greek community in the suburb, and their significant contribution to local and national society.

“For me, the naming is long overdue,” Sam Phylactou, CEO of Marrickville-based M & J Chickens, said.

Mr Phylactou has worked in Marrickville for years and is of proud Greek descent.

“Marrickville is a very multicultural suburb, but the strong Greek foundations are at the heart of it,” he said.

“There’s a lot of great migrant stories around Marrickville, and it’s not just about rags to riches, but about the values and community that are here. It’s a fantastic result for the area.”

Local business owner Sam Phylactou. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Tassos Lambrou provided traditional Greek music. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

In attendance at the ceremony, alongside members of the local council and state parliament, were a who’s who of Greek Australians, including new Inner West Police Command Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald, actor Alex Lykos and Consul General of Greece Christos Karras, as well as former Marrickville Mayor Sam Iskandar.

Cr Tsardoulias recalled as a child walking down Marrickville Rd, hearing the chatter of Greek families talking about life back home, but also “recognising and appreciating their new homeland” in Australia.

“The cultural contribution Greek migrants had in Marrickville in the 1960s is incredibly important for generations to come,” she told the crowd.

“And it is important we continue to embrace our heritage and preserve our rich culture.”

Consul General of Greece Christos Karras. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne unveils the Little Greece plaque with Councillor Zoi Tsardoulias. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

Consul general Mr Karras described Marrickville as the “birthplace of Australian multiculturalism” and said the naming was a nod to the longstanding contribution of Greek Australians in the inner west.

“I think Little Greece is a highly appropriate name, and it also celebrates the warm friendship between Greece and Australia, and our common values that bind us as faithful friends,” the consul general said.

Traditional Greek dancing was performed by the St Nicholas Church Greek Dancing Group and Tassos Lambrou was on hand to play the traditional bouzouki. The stunning mural on the side of the Alex Trevallion Plaza provided a fitting backdrop, commissioned to mark the heart of Little Greece in the suburb.

State MP and former Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen praised the community’s contribution to the area. Picture: Alexi Demetriadi

While many Greeks travelled to Australia to forge a better life for themselves, State MP for Summer Hill and former Marrickville Mayor Jo Haylen said the area “simply wouldn’t be what it is today without the contribution of Greeks and Greek Australians”.

“Everywhere you look you can see your contribution – you built a life for yourselves here,” she said.

“But you have done so much more than that – you have built a better life for us all, and we are so much richer because of it.”