Greece fact file

September 19 2002

Population: 112,426 people claimed Greek ancestry in the 2001 census (375,703 in Australia), 33,688 of them were born in Greece (116,431 in Australia), compared with 37,616 Greek-born in Sydney 1996, and 126,520 in Australia, and 40,681 and 136,327 in 1991.

Areas: Canterbury (15,632), Rockdale (9998), Bankstown (7848), Randwick (7728), Marrickville (5830), Kogarah (4987), Hurstville (4364).

Stop-off: The Grand Parade at Brighton Le Sands; this beach-side promenade has a string of Greek restaurants and taverns; The Hellenic Club, Elizabeth Street, Sydney; Greek Orthodox Church of The Holy Trinity (first Greek Orthodox church in Australia, founded in 1898), Surry Hills.

Diary events: Epiphany, a religious ceremonial blessing of the waters at Yarra Bay, La Perouse, held in early January; Independence Day, March 25, is celebrated by a Sunday procession from Martin Place in the city to the Opera House forecourt, where there is typically Greek dancing and music.

For a quick taste: Check out a Greek wedding, during which the new husband and wife are led in a procession outside the church and then crowned. There are many Greek churches in Sydney, but try the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern or All Saints Church in Belmore.

Who can you call:
Greek Consulate 9221 2388/9221 1453;
Hellenic Advancement Council 9667 3045;
Greek Orthodox Arch Diocese 9698 5066.