Our Greek friendship sails on respect

I WROTE recently about the importance of continuing to build a tolerant society for the betterment of Australia’s future, writes Jeff Kennett.

‘While Greece has some serious economic and social problems, so do we have serious economic and social challenges that must be addressed.’

I WROTE recently about the importance of continuing to build a tolerant society for the betterment of Australia’s future.

Last week I had the opportunity to return to Athens, Greece, albeit too briefly.

I’ve had a long association with all things Hellenic, motivated I guess because of the large Greek community in Melbourne, said to be the biggest population of Greek-born citizens outside Athens and Thessaloniki.

The wave of Greek immigration to Melbourne after the Second World War was substantial. Their subsequent endeavours, in particular to work hard and provide their children with education and opportunities, is a path of self-sacrifice. Everything they did was for their children.

Over the past 30 years I have built many firm friendships and contacts with the Greek community both here and in Greece.

I always enjoy returning to what is so commonly known as the birthplace of modern democracy.

I have met many of Greece’s prime ministers, but not as yet their current PM, Alexis Tsipras. In fact, because of my relationship with the former socialist but charismatic Greek prime minister Andreas Papandreou from 1992, the Australian government asked me to be Australia’s representative at his funeral in 1996. I considered that a great honour.

I remember fondly my time with our former prime minister, Gough Whitlam, and David Hill leading the advocacy for the Elgin Marbles, which are held in the British Museum, to be returned to their rightful place in Greece.

Last week I visited the Acropolis Museum at the base of the Parthenon. It is the most wonderful collection of friezes, statues and artefacts from times many centuries before the birth of Christ. So much of it stunningly beautiful.

Interestingly, but not surprisingly, I met several families of non-Greek Australians visiting the museum at the same time Felicity and I were being given an escorted tour.

Like the Museum of Modern Art, MONA, in Hobart, the Acropolis Museum is of international reputation drawing huge crowds from all around the world. It was built partly in expectation that the British would do the right thing and return the marbles Lord Elgin stole in 1812. Sadly, the British have not returned what amounts to just over 50 per cent of the friezes that adorned the Parthenon.

Jeff Kennett writes of the importance of Australia being respected, of having a reputation of tolerance.

To give you another example of the extraordinary goodwill that exists between our two countries, I had dinner with a friend of mine, Captain PA Tsakos.

By way of reference, Capt Tsakos went to sea at age 13, worked his way up until he became a certified captain plying the world’s seas in command of big vessels. In 1970 he started his own shipping company with one vessel. Today he and his family have more than 70 large ships at work all around the world, with more on order.

At 80 years of age Capt Tsakos has the energy and vision of a man half his years.

But he also has a great respect for Australia. As exampled in 2004 when, at the handover of a ship he built for the Australian navy to replace HMAS Westralia, the Australian officer in charge of the project, Gary McFarlane, was informed the payment for the vessel had not been made as scheduled.

That led to serious issues, because the ship’s insurance had run out. The crew of Tsakos Shipping, in expectation that the handover would go ahead, had left the ship and the Korean builders wanted the ship off the wharf to prepare the launch of their next vessel. Capt Tsakos, who was at the launch and handover, personally stepped in, got insurance arranged, put his crew back on the ship, and was prepared to wait until payment was made. A very challenging crisis was averted.

When asked why he had been so generous, Capt Tsakos explained, “because of the brave and generous actions of Australians on Crete during World War II”, he was honoured to help.

Why do I recall this story? Only to once again stress the importance of our relationship with Greece and its community. The importance of Australia being respected, of having a reputation of tolerance, and the value that has when based on the efforts of our servicemen and women past and present.

While Greece has it problems, just remember while it has had seven prime ministers since 2004, we in Australia have had six. While Greece has some serious economic and social problems, so do we have serious economic and social challenges that must be addressed. As I said last week, those challenges will best be met by a united, tolerant society.

Since my visit to Greece we have watched in horror the tragedy in Nice and the attempted coup in Turkey; both resulting in the loss of so many innocent lives.

Does that not reinforce the value of a tolerant, harmonious Australian society?

Have a good and peaceful day.

JEFF KENNETT IS A FORMER PREMIER OF VICTORIA

@jeff_kennett