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The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria (GOCMV) was established in 1897 and is acknowledged as the oldest Greek organisation and one of the oldest ethnic community's in Australia.

Victoria and in particular Melbourne is home to largest Greek speaking population outside of Greece.

The Greek Community's core business is to promote & develop Greek culture and education servicing not only its immigrant constituency but importantly the second, third and fourth generation members.

The history of the Community and the history of the broader Greek population of Melbourne are inextricably entwined.

Greeks had been in Victoria since the Gold rush of the 1850's but were few and far between. The first wave of Greek immigrants came in the later part of the 19th Century.

The GOCMV was founded on 22 August 1897. The objectives of the GOCMV of 1897 were to represent the fledgling Greek community of Melbourne and the then colony of Victoria and to give voice to their needs and desires.

Amongst the first achievements of the Community was the establishment of the first Orthodox church in Victoria. Evangelismos was completed in what is now Victoria Parade East Melbourne in 1902 and it filled a cultural and religious void for the fledgling Greek population of the turn of the Century as well as being significant in the religious lives of other Orthodox ethnic communities.

Other achievements of the GOCMV included the establishment of the first Greek school and the coordination of efforts to support the then struggle for liberation of the Greek state which at the time was predominantly under Ottoman Rule.

The GOCMV core business took on particular importance during and following the wave of post Second World War migration. Social, welfare and advocacy roles came to the fore servicing the burgeoning Greek migrant population of Melbourne.

Significantly, recent achievements include the establishment of Alphington Grammar and the successful hosting of the annual Antipodes Festival.

After over 105 years of activity and achievement the Community continues to respond to the needs of its members and to contribute to the continuous development of a Multicultural Australia.


Greek Community of Melbourne
168 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria Australia
tel: + 61 3 9662 2722
fax: + 61 3 9663 3130
email: info@greekcommunity.com.au