Archbishop Makarios

Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. I. Pnevmatikos:

That this council—

1. Congratulates and welcomes His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia on his inaugural visit to South Australia.

2. Congratulates all the parishioners and volunteers of the Greek communities of South Australia and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of South Australia on all their endeavours and preparations to welcome His Eminence to our beautiful state.

3. Thanks His Eminence Archbishop Makarios for his efforts to meet and engage with as many South Australians as he could on his inaugural visit.

4. Thanks the organisers of all the functions and events that hosted His Eminence throughout South Australia, including:

(a) His Excellency the Governor of South Australia, the Hon. Hieu Van Le AC;

(b) the Hon. Chris Kourakis SC, Chief Justice of the South Australian Supreme Court;

(c) Inter-Communities Council of South Australia, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese;

(d) Saint George College;

(e) Saint Basil's Homes SA;

(f) Adelaide Airport Limited;

(g) the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of South Australia parishes and communities, led by His Grace Bishop Nikandros;

(h) the Greek Welfare Centre;

(i) the Premier the Hon. Steven Marshall MP and the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP;

(j) the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. Vincent Tarzia MP, and the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Andrew McLachlan MLC;

(k) the parliamentary library and staff;

(l) the Parliamentary Friends of Greece and Cyprus;

(m) Mr Harry Patsouris, Mr Andrew Psaromatis, Ms Connie Kosti, Ms Angela Gondzioulis;

(n) the thousands of faithful who welcomed His Eminence to South Australia across Adelaide.

5. Encourages His Eminence to visit South Australia as often as possible and wishes him success in his mission here in Australia as the leader of the Orthodox Christian faithful of our nation.

(Continued from 11 September 2019.)

The Hon. C. BONAROS (17:54): As I mentioned in my matter of interest earlier this year, the arrival of the new Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Australia, Archbishop Makarios, marked the beginning of a new area of Greek Orthodoxy in Australia, and never more so than in South Australia. Of course, His Eminence's election followed the sad passing of the much-loved Archbishop Stylianos Harkianakis, whose distinguished term with the Australian Greek Orthodox Church extended over four decades.

I was privileged to be among the delegation at Adelaide Airport to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Makarios during his first pastoral visit to Adelaide in August, along with a 700-strong crowd, including assistant bishops of the holy archdiocese, the clergy, the monastic fraternities, parishioners and representatives of state and political authorities, all of whom greeted him with yet another rockstar reception.

It was his first engagement of an exhausting, jam-packed, five-day schedule in which His Eminence, along with a number of us from this place, and others attended a number of community and official events, including doxology church services; a reception hosted by our Governor, His Excellency Hieu Van Le and Mrs Le; a dinner hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Inter-Communities Council of SA; a dinner hosted by St Basil's Homes; and, of course, a luncheon right here in Parliament House, Mr President, hosted by yourself and the Speaker from another place, which was attended by all four members of state parliament of Greek background, as well as members of the Parliamentary Friends of Greece and Cyprus.

His Eminence did not disappoint. He got to as many churches, community facilities and events as time would permit. Wherever he went and wherever he spoke he was greeted with the same level of enthusiasm and sense of hope for a new era of Greek Orthodoxy in SA. For me, it was his address at the Inter-Communities Council of SA dinner that touched me the most. So overcome was he by the display of affection from the hundreds of volunteers who serve our churches and communities, many of whom were in attendance, that he was absolutely overcome with emotion in expressing his gratitude.

We all enjoyed the opportunity to speak to His Eminence about a number of issues that confront us not only in our personal lives but also in our professional capacities, many of which are the same issues that we as members of this place often find ourselves deliberating over, sometimes with a heavy heart. His visit was a momentous occasion and, can I say, a truly big deal for the South Australian Greek community. I say this genuinely, because for South Australia in particular the Archbishop's enthronement really does mark the beginning of what all Greeks living in Australia, whether they be Greek migrants or the children or grandchildren of Greek migrants, hope will be a coming together of our churches.

As other honourable members of this place and the wider South Australian Greek community would know by now, His Eminence has expressed a deep and genuine desire to end the schism that divides our churches here locally. This is an issue that is South Australia focused. It is a vexed issue that has plagued the South Australian Greek community for decades; in fact, always. But, more importantly, it is the elephant in the room that has, in the view of many, prevented Greek Orthodoxy from flourishing here in SA. I hope I speak for most South Australians of Greek background when I say that it is one of the issues that stands in the way of progress and one we will all be happy to see resolved once and for all.

On a much lighter note, I have to say that the icing on the cake for me was when His Eminence was presented with a gift on behalf of the members of the Parliamentary Friends of Greek and Cyprus, the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos, the Hon. Tom Koutsantonis MP from another place and Andrea Michaels MP, also from another place, at the luncheon that you, Mr President, co-hosted here in Parliament House. A lot of thought went into that gift. I spoke to a couple of priests and to their wives and asked them what they thought of the idea of presenting His Eminence with an Akubra hat. In fact, I think we agreed it would have been extremely un-Australian of us not to ensure that His Eminence was the proud owner of an Akubra hat. We were all extremely heartened by his very genuine appreciation for receiving a very practical gift that he can utilise during his travels to our rural and remote regions.

On that note and on behalf of SA-Best, I would like to echo the sentiments of the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos and thank her for bringing forward this motion. I also echo the sentiments of members of the other place and once again welcome Archbishop Makarios. I look forward to working with him on issues of great importance to the local Adelaide Greek community.

The Hon. J.S. LEE (18:00): It is with great pleasure that I rise today to speak on behalf of the Marshall government to wholeheartedly support the private member's motion introduced by the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos. The South Australian community certainly put on a huge welcome for His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia for his first historical pastoral visit to Adelaide on 31 August 2019.

Upon His Eminence's arrival at the airport, the media cited that the heartwarming cheers of 500 faithfuls resembled a rock star's welcome. Many high-ranking dignitaries, including the Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Steven Marshall, were at the airport to personally welcome His Eminence. It was a great honour to join the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of South Australia to welcome His Eminence, who was formally elected as the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia in June this year.

It is a great fortune and joy for the whole community to have such an influential leader with remarkable presence. He comes into the role with exceptional qualifications and great intellect. His wonderful nature and strong communication skills will have a positive impact on the whole community, as he projects strength and compassion in his role as the new Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia. I had the great honour to attend the welcome dinner in his honour on Monday 2 September 2019 with the Premier and many members of parliament, including the Hons Irene Pnevmatikos and Connie Bonaros from this chamber.

I wish to sincerely thank the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and the Inter-Communities Council of South Australia for organising a fantastic welcome dinner, attended by distinguished community leaders and volunteers. The main highlights included the memorable presentation by His Eminence, gifts presentation and many memorable performances by local groups and talented young people. It was an outstanding display of generosity and the strong community spirit of the South Australian Greek community.

I also want to thank His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le for hosting a prestigious welcome reception for His Eminence. I also attended that reception with many honourable members, including the Hon. Vincent Tarzia.

At this point, I would like to also place on the record a special thanks to the President of the Legislative Council, the Hon. Andrew McLachlan, and Mr Speaker, the Hon. Vincent Tarzia, for hosting that welcoming lunch reception for His Eminence during his visit. His Eminence was kept very busy, as was already mentioned by other honourable members. He visited churches, community groups, associations and schools, and his time was well spent. He had a very engaging itinerary throughout his stay in Adelaide.

I would like to thank the honourable member for moving this motion. I wholeheartedly support the motion on behalf of the government. I also wish His Eminence many meaningful and fulfilling years of service in Australia. I commend the motion to the council.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (18:04): I just want to thank my colleagues for their contribution to the discussion today and also their presence at the various events that occurred. Thank you.

Motion carried.