Homepage Latest News Archives - Page 2 of 32

Redfern Among the Venues for 25th Biennale of Sydney

The 25th Biennale of Sydney has launched under the title Rememory, a global contemporary art exhibition featuring more than 143 artworks by 83 artists and collectives from 37 countries and territories. Open free to the public from 14 March to 14 June 2026, the exhibition spans multiple venues across Greater Sydney, including the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and Redfern Town Hall.

Read: Revolve Gallery Brings Fresh Creative Energy to Redfern’s Arts Scene

The event is led by internationally acclaimed curator Hoor Al Qasimi, who has drawn the exhibition’s title from the work of celebrated American author Toni Morrison. The theme centres on the intersections of memory and history, with participating artists examining cultural roots, identity and belonging while engaging with Sydney’s communities and histories.

Al Qasimi has said that many of the works draw on personal, familial and collective histories, exploring how memory is carried across generations and how histories that have been fragmented or suppressed can be revisited through art. She has also noted that for many participating artists, creating work with and for community is fundamental to their practice, and that memory lives not only in archives and institutions but in people, places and shared experiences.

Biennale of Sydney CEO Barbara Moore has described the exhibition as one that brings people together through newly commissioned and presented artworks, fostering a sense of community and belonging at a time when the world can feel divided.

First Nations works and commissions

A major collaboration with Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, the Biennale’s Visionary Partner, has resulted in 15 new commissions by First Nations artists from around the world, developed with First Nations Curatorial Fellow Bruce Johnson McLean, from the Wierdi people of the Birri Gubba Nation.

Among the major works in the exhibition is the Ngurrara Canvas II, created by the Ngurrara artists of the Great Sandy Desert in Western Australia. On display at the Art Gallery of NSW, its first showing in Sydney, the 80-square-metre floor canvas is one of the largest Aboriginal paintings ever produced. Originally presented to the National Native Title Tribunal in 1997 to demonstrate the Ngurrara people’s connection to Country, the work will be accompanied by a public performance from traditional owners, including two dance troupes who have travelled to Sydney for the occasion.

Also at the Art Gallery of NSW, Frank Young and The Kulata Tjuta Project present an installation of 2,000 hand-carved spears arranged in an arch-like structure, alongside paintings documenting community stories and the spear-making process. A ceremonial performance by community members will welcome the works to the gallery and Gadigal land.

Key works across the city

At White Bay Power Station, interdisciplinary artist Nikesha Breeze presents Living Histories, a two-storey immersive installation featuring towering fabric columns inspired by the African Baobab tree. The work draws on firsthand accounts of enslaved African-Americans in the Antebellum South as an act of archival reclamation. Also at White Bay, Argentinian artist Gabriel Chaile has constructed a hand-built adobe clay oven that will be activated throughout the festival, serving food to visitors in collaboration with Sydney’s Andina Peruvian Cuisine.

At Campbelltown Arts Centre, artists Behrouz Boochani, Hoda Afshar and Vernon Ah Kee present Code Black/Riot, a newly commissioned multi-channel video installation centring the experiences of Indigenous youth in detention and the continuing impact of colonial policy within Australia’s incarceration system.

At Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery, Yindjibarndi Elder Wendy Hubert is creating a large-scale native plant garden celebrating ancestral knowledge, with plants used for food, medicine and ceremony providing a gathering space for community conversations.

Read: Redfern Community Steps Up for Aboriginal Education in Mob on the Move Challenge

Program and access

Alongside the exhibitions, the Biennale offers an extensive public program including weekly Memory Lane Food Markets every Saturday and Sunday at White Bay Power Station, an Africa Day celebration on 23 May, guided art and historical tours, family days, youth programs and accessibility-focused events. Friday evenings at White Bay Power Station will feature the Art After Dark series with live music and food markets, running from 20 March through to the closing night on 12 June.

The 25th Biennale of Sydney opens 14 March 2026, with a closing night party on 12 June 2026. Full program details are available at biennaleofsydney.art

Published 16-March-2026

From CBD Laneway to Redfern Corner: Flyover Fritterie Expands Its Indian Street Food Vision

Flyover Fritterie

Flyover Fritterie at 88 Regent Street, Redfern has quietly built one of Sydney’s most distinctive dining reputations — a fully vegetarian, largely vegan Indian street food restaurant that started in a CBD laneway with a four-item menu and has since grown into a two-level corner venue drawing crowds from across the city.

Gunjan Aylawadi, an artist and cook who grew up in Delhi, founded the restaurant in 2019. She opened Flyover to honour the street food vendors she encountered across India — cooks who set up their carts under flyovers each day, specialise in a single dish, serve it with precision and pack up when the food runs out. That origin shapes the restaurant’s name, philosophy and menu.

Artist Gunjan Aylawadi, founder of Flyover Fritterie — *Photo Credit: Flyover Fritterie*

The original Flyover occupied a small space at the end of Temperance Lane in the Sydney CBD and built its following on three types of pakora, a chai and a weekly special. The move to Redfern gave the concept room to breathe — and the menu expanded accordingly.

What the Menu Looks Like Now

The Redfern venue spans two levels, with a lively kitchen and bar operating downstairs and a quieter, more intimate dining room upstairs. The food programme now covers a broad range of Indian street food formats.

The seasonal vegetable fritters remain central to the menu — deep-fried in chickpea batter with fillings that rotate — alongside the aloo tikki, a crispy potato fritter stuffed with spiced chana dhal and finished with tamarind chutney, mint chutney, pomegranate, ginger and beetroot. Chaat — the category of tangy, textured Indian street snacks — anchors the snacks section, with options including sabudana vada with beetroot yoghurt, corn bhel puri with puffed rice and grilled corn, and seasonal greens chaat dressed in mint and tamarind.

Beyond snacks, the kitchen runs a 48-hour slow-cooked black daal, coconut lime daal khichri, pav bhaji and a range of dosa-based jaffles where Indian fillings meet an Australian format. Aloo tikki burgers, tandoori paneer momos and broccoli wings round out the mains section.

The drinks programme reflects the same approach. The bar offers three types of chai — traditionally brewed with ginger and cardamom, chocolate chai and a liquor-spiked version — alongside mango lassi, Indian filter coffee and a cocktail list that includes a Chilli Ginger Gimlet, a tableside Watermelon Negroni served with a spray of rose mist and a Spice Trade gin and tonic with ruby grapefruit.

The Besan Laddoo Soft Serve

No account of Flyover is complete without the dessert programme. The most talked-about item is the besan laddoo soft serve — a discovery that came from leftover besan ka sheera in the kitchen, finished with crushed nuts and now the restaurant’s most viral offering. It sits alongside rose cardamom kheer with almonds and rose petals and a rotating cake slice of the week.

View this post on Instagram

What Flyover Fritterie Means for Redfern

Redfern stands as one of Sydney’s most culturally layered suburbs, with a dining scene shaped by long-term residents, newer arrivals and a growing creative community. Flyover now gives emerging chefs a platform to experiment and develop their skills in vegetarian cooking, helping build a training ground for a style of cuisine still underrepresented in Australian professional kitchens.

For Redfern locals and inner-city visitors, Flyover Fritterie offers something the suburb did not previously have — a full-service Indian vegetarian restaurant with a serious drinks programme, a considered fit-out and a menu that changes with the seasons.

The restaurant is a six-minute walk from Redfern station, with free parking available in nearby streets. Flyover Fritterie opens Wednesday to Friday from 4:30 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 PM (closing at 10:00 PM Sat / 9:00 PM Sun). Bookings and more information are available at flyoverfritterie.com.au or by contacting hello@flyoverfritterie.com.au.

Published 13-March-2026.

Redfern Family Snaps Up Neighbouring George Street Terrace

Photo Credit: BresicWhitney

A five-bedroom terrace at 83 George Street, Redfern changed hands for $3.4 million in late February — but what made the sale stand out wasn’t just the price. It was the speed at which a family already living on the same street managed to sell their own home and secure the property before it even went to auction.

The buyers, who had been living at number 48 George Street for around 15 years, first set eyes on the property on 21 January — before it had officially hit the market. They were among the neighbours that selling agent Michael Kirk of BresicWhitney East had personally contacted to let know the property was coming up. The family wasn’t actively looking to buy at the time, but curiosity brought them through the door during the photo shoot.

From that point, things moved quickly. In order to purchase 83 George Street, they first needed to sell their own home. Within weeks, their property at number 48 was listed, photographed, and sold — for $2.3 million. Contracts on the George Street purchase were exchanged on 24 February, just over a month after the buyers first walked through.

Kirk described the turnaround as remarkable. Buyers who have their finances in order and complete their due diligence promptly, he said, are the ones best placed to secure a property — and that proved true here, with other interested parties, including builders and buyers requiring finance approval, unable to move at the same pace.

The 210-square-metre block — notable for its land size, width, and parking — had been in the vendor’s family since 1978. It was a deceased estate, sold by the five adult children of the original owner following their mother’s passing. Properties of this scale are rare in Redfern, and Kirk said that scarcity was central to the result.

Adding to the appeal for this particular family was the fact that one partner is an architect. The generous block presented a genuine opportunity to design and build something tailored to their needs — a consideration Kirk said played a significant role in their decision to move so decisively.

Interest in the property was not limited to locals. Kirk noted that buyers from the eastern suburbs were also among those inspecting, drawn in part by Redfern’s improving connectivity — including the Waterloo Metro station at the southern end of George Street and pedestrian access to the CBD through Prince Alfred Park. The recent Toga Eve Hotel development at the corner of Baptist and Cleveland Streets was also cited as a marker of the suburb’s continued evolution.

For a family that had spent a decade and a half building their life on George Street, the chance to stay in the neighbourhood — in a bigger home, on a bigger block — was too good to pass up.

Published 2-March-2026

New Chargrill Charlie’s Lands on Redfern St After Outdoor Dining Bid Initially Knocked Back

Chargrill Charlie’s has officially opened in Redfern, following a drawn-out process over plans for outdoor dining at the site.

Read: Redfern Residents Rally Against 24/7 McDonald’s

Chargrill Charlie’s has opened its doors at 131-133 Redfern Street in Redfern, bringing its signature rotisserie chicken to one of inner Sydney’s busy dining strips. The new outlet joins an increasingly busy stretch of restaurants and cafes in the area.

However, the road to opening wasn’t without its bumps. Last October, the chain lodged a proposal with the City of Sydney to set up outdoor tables and chairs across a 34 square metre stretch of footpath outside the new outlet, with trading hours of 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The application generated an unusually strong community response, 111 submissions in total, with 109 opposing the plans.

Locals raised a wide range of concerns. Some pointed to potential pedestrian obstruction and noise, while others worried that food scraps left behind by diners could attract rodents, ibises and cockroaches. One resident raised the possibility that “chicken fumes” from the outdoor zone could “create an unappealing atmosphere” for passing pedestrians.

The new outlet’s upstairs neighbour, an Italian restaurant, also weighed in against the proposal. The eatery raised concerns that footpath furniture and signage could block its entrance and obstruct its signage from the street.

Planning authorities initially refused the footpath dining application, determining it could impede pedestrian movement and cause access issues for adjoining businesses. Chargrill Charlie’s did not respond to media questions but stated in planning documents that the proposal had been designed to “not adversely impact streetscape character.” The refusal was a rare outcome — of the 482 footpath dining applications assessed last year, only 12 were rejected.

However, a revised application was later lodged and approved in February 2026, allowing outdoor tables within designated areas of the footpath.

Read: Your Next Spicy-Hot Chicken Adventure Should Be at Super Nash Brothers in Waterloo

Despite the earlier setback, Chargrill Charlie’s has now opened its doors to Redfern diners. A revised outdoor dining proposal was later approved in February, meaning limited footpath seating may soon become part of the Redfern Street offering.

Published 28-February-2026

Update: This article was updated to reflect a revised outdoor dining application approved in February.

Redfern’s Fairytale Renovation: ‘Gingerbread House’ on Kepos Street Heads to Auction

A beautifully transformed Victorian terrace at Kepos Street in Redfern, nicknamed the Gingerbread House for its ornate facade, is heading to auction in March, after a top-to-bottom renovation turned a rundown deceased estate into a striking 21st century home.

Read: Wunderlich Lane: How Redfern’s Historic Precinct Became Sydney’s Newest Social Hub

The property at 50 Kepos Street, Redfern, goes under the hammer on Saturday, 7 March at 9:45am. It is listed with a buyer’s guide of $3 million.

Two years ago, the two-bedroom terrace on a 107-square-metre block was a far cry from its current state. Peeling paint, mouldy ceilings, a grime-caked bathroom, a dated ’70s kitchen and a courtyard lost beneath knee-high weeds — the interiors told a story of decades of neglect.

50 Kepos Street before the renovations (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Yet the home’s ornate Victorian facade, whimsical enough to evoke Hansel and Gretel, proved irresistible when it went to auction in 2024 as a deceased estate. Twelve registered bidders showed up and drove the price to $1.81 million — a staggering $510,000 above the $1.3 million reserve.

The property carried a piece of local history with it. It was part of the estate of Bill Hartup, who served as Mayor of South Sydney between 1969 and 1981. Hartup and his wife Eileen had purchased the home for around $30,000 in 1980, later selling it to their son Peter for $55,000 in 1986. Hartup passed away in 2014.

The buyers, husband and wife Gavin Suyatika and Shannon Suryawan, purchased the home with plans to renovate and sell, aiming to honour its heritage character while bringing it into the present.

Working alongside business partner Billy Satya and design studio Sandbox Studio, the couple preserved the traditional Victorian shell while adding a contemporary white box on top to accommodate two bedrooms and a bathroom — a deliberate juxtaposition between old and new, as the owners described it.

Kepos Street — Photo credit: BresicWhitney

The result is a home that feels both rooted in its era and thoroughly modern. Natural light pours through numerous skylights, transforming what was once a dark and dingy hallway. At the front of the house, a master suite with original pressed-metal ceilings makes an immediate impression.

Further along, a compact laundry and powder room lead through to a dining area that opens onto an atrium garden. The kitchen features a marble island bench, integrated Miele appliances, bespoke custom cabinetry and a dedicated wine fridge. A rear laneway provides direct vehicle access to the backyard.

Construction began last May and wrapped up in early December, on time and, notably, on budget. All materials were locally sourced, with nothing imported, something the owners described as a priority.

Read: Singer Ricki-Lee Coulter Becomes Redfern Landlord with $3.5m Terrace Purchase

Despite a recent interest rate rise, early signs point to solid buyer activity in the local market. Open home numbers are tracking ahead of the same period last year, though the agent noted it remains to be seen which direction the market heads as more stock comes on. Agent Chris Nunn noted that renovation costs have blown out significantly since Covid, making a turnkey property increasingly attractive to buyers.

The auction is scheduled for Saturday, 7 March at 9:45am. The campaign is being handled by Chris Nunn of BresicWhitney, with a buyer’s guide of $3 million.

Published 28-February-2026

Redfern Community Steps Up for Aboriginal Education in Mob on the Move Challenge

Photo Credit: Google Maps screengrab

Supporters are turning everyday steps into donations for Aboriginal education, with a community walking challenge inviting families, schools and businesses to raise funds for Redfern Jarjum College, an Aboriginal community-controlled primary school.

The initiative, called Mob on the Move, runs from 15 February to 15 March as a month-long community walking challenge, encouraging participants to set movement goals and track their kilometres, while raising funds for school services.

Promoted by Redfern Jarjum College, the fundraiser supports school services including a bus service, food, uniforms and other student support. Supporters are encouraged to donate through the campaign website, where participants can create and share individual fundraising pages.

Throughout the challenge, students, staff and supporters are walking, tracking kilometres and learning more about First Nations culture as the wider community is urged to get involved through donations and participation.

With the challenge running through March 15 and a Harbour Bridge walk planned for March 20, organisers are encouraging more people to donate and take part to support Aboriginal-led education in Redfern.

Redfern Jarjum College was established in 2013 on the historic St Vincent’s site at 117 Redfern Street, following years of development and consultation with the local community. The school was founded with a vision to mentor, educate and assist disadvantaged children, building on a long tradition of the site as a place of shelter and support for vulnerable people in inner Sydney.

Its origins trace back to 2009, when St Aloysius’ College was granted a lease to develop a free school serving local children in need.

The college also continues a legacy of community service linked to Father Ted Kennedy and Aboriginal community leader Shirley “Mum Shirl” Smith, who established support services for Aboriginal people in Redfern, including housing and medical initiatives. The school aims to preserve their vision of assistance and care for those in need, reflecting Redfern’s long history as a centre for Aboriginal community life and support.

Published 23-Feb-2026

Rabbitohs Bring Junior Stars and Senior Trials to Redfern Oval

Photo Credit: Steve Mavin/Google Maps

Redfern Oval will come alive with the future of rugby league as the South Sydney Rabbitohs bring a full slate of junior representative clashes and senior pathway trials to the historic ground, offering local fans a rare chance to watch emerging stars and rising talent compete on home turf in a major community-focused showcase.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs will host a series of junior representative matches and senior pathway trial games at Redfern Oval, drawing players, families and supporters to the club’s spiritual home for a weekend of development rugby league action.

The club’s junior representative teams return to Redfern Oval on Saturday, 21 February, with fixtures against the Western Suburbs Magpies and Wests Tigers across several age divisions.

The day will begin with the Lisa Fiaola Cup under-17 girls’ team taking on the Wests Tigers at 10:00 am, followed by the Tarsha Gale Cup under-19 women’s side at 11:45 am. The Harold Matthews Cup under-17 boys’ match against Western Suburbs Magpies is scheduled for 1:30 pm, before the SG Ball Cup under-19 men’s team faces the Magpies at 3:15 pm.

The weekend’s program continues on Sunday, 22 February, when the Rabbitohs’ senior pathway squads will trial against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. The Jersey Flegg Cup teams will meet at 10:00 am, followed by the NSW Cup trial at 12:00 pm.

The matches form part of the club’s development pathway, showcasing emerging players as they progress through elite junior competitions toward professional rugby league. The events also provide an opportunity for the local community to connect with the club’s next generation of talent at Redfern Oval, a venue closely tied to the Rabbitohs’ history and identity.

Team lists for each squad have been announced by the club, featuring players across the SG Ball Cup, Harold Matthews Cup, Tarsha Gale Cup, Lisa Fiaola Cup, Jersey Flegg Cup and NSW Cup competitions.

The weekend’s fixtures highlight the Rabbitohs’ ongoing investment in youth development and grassroots rugby league, reinforcing Redfern Oval’s role as a central gathering place for supporters and aspiring players alike.

Published 18-Feb-2026

Update on Erskineville Road Plans as Ashmore Precinct Develops

Photo Credit: LMCloverMoore

Plans for a new road connection in Erskineville are progressing as part of the Ashmore precinct development, with community feedback and discussion underway.

The project, however, is drawing pushback, with some people warning it could increase local traffic while others say the link is needed to support access for those who travel by car.

The dispute centres on a proposed extension of Macdonald Street to Mitchell Road as part of the wider Ashmore precinct redevelopment, a project planned to convert former industrial land into a mixed-use neighbourhood with housing, services and public space.

Growing Community Concern

Community campaigners and local residents say the proposed road would increase vehicle traffic through residential streets in Erskineville and nearby areas, including Newtown. A petition promoted through an Action Network community campaign argues that the connection could become a new cut-through for drivers, increasing noise and pollution and creating safety concerns for people walking and riding locally.

The same campaign materials state that the road is not needed for local property access and call for the space to be used more community-focused, including a public square.

Supporters have used related online updates, including a Change.org update, to direct residents to the campaign and keep attention on traffic and safety issues in the precinct.

City Says Road Supports Access, Not a Cut-Through

The City of Sydney says the Macdonald Street extension is an important part of the Ashmore precinct plan and is intended to improve access for residents and visitors traveling by car. On its project information page, the City states that the extension is designed as a low-speed street with traffic-calming features intended to discourage through-traffic.

Council records also show that the issue has been formally discussed. A review item reflects the City’s position that access is needed for the precinct, while design features are intended to reduce the chance of the street becoming a rat run.

A Long-Running Redevelopment Plan

The Ashmore precinct plan has been built up over many years through infrastructure planning and staged works. A City document titled Project Scope – MacDonald Street Widening and Trunk Drainage Project shows earlier planning for street and drainage works connected to changes in the area.

The redevelopment also includes walking and cycling links intended to connect streets around the precinct. Community information published in the Erskineville community planning FAQs states that Macdonald Street will be extended to Mitchell Road and that the Kooka Walk shared path is planned to connect to the area as part of the broader network.

As work continues, both supporters and critics are focused on how traffic behaves once the connection is in place, and whether design measures reduce cut-through traffic while still allowing practical access for people who need it.

Published 18-Feb-2026

Major Henderson Road Changes Proposed to Improve Waterloo Metro Access

Photo Credit: CityOfSydney

Residents and commuters in Waterloo could soon see dozens of parking spaces removed and traffic lanes reduced as plans to reshape key streets in Sydney move forward to favour cyclists, buses and pedestrians. The proposal centres on Henderson Road and Raglan Street, where planners aim to improve safety and connectivity between South Eveleigh and the Waterloo Metro precinct.

Public consultation for the proposal has started on 4 February 2026, with feedback closing at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

Safer Links to Waterloo Metro

The City of Sydney is proposing to build a two-way cycleway along the northern side of Henderson Road and Raglan Street to link existing bike routes with the Waterloo Metro station. Council planning documents state that the project aims to create safer cycling routes and improve walking conditions along busy local roads.

The design also proposes extending kerbs at Davy Road and Garden Street to slow vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety. Council material indicates the upgrade is intended to support growing demand for active transport options as the surrounding precinct continues to develop.

The concept design outlines how the route would connect residential areas to major public transport and employment hubs.

Parking and Traffic Changes Raise Community Questions

The project would remove 45 on-street parking spaces across Henderson Road and sections of Raglan Street. The planning material explains that the change is needed to provide space for the separated cycleway and improved pedestrian areas while maintaining bus access.

Raglan Street would also be restricted to buses only between Botany Road and Cope Street. Council planning information suggests this measure aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve public transport reliability through the corridor.

Existing bus services will continue to operate along the route, with the design including a new platform beside the cycleway west of Garden Street. The proposal also reserves space for a future bus stop near Waterloo Metro station to meet passenger demand.

Tree Planting and Streetscape Improvements

The proposal includes planting up to 28 new trees along Henderson Road, including a new landscaped median strip between Davy Road and Wyndham Street. Council documents indicate six existing trees may be removed due to poor growing conditions caused by nearby private awnings.

The planning material states that the additional greenery is intended to improve street shade and the overall amenity for residents and visitors using the corridor.

How Residents Can Share Their Views

Community members can provide feedback via the City of Sydney’s consultation platform, which includes an interactive map and an online survey on the council’s engagement website. Residents must log in using a City of Sydney account to complete the survey.

Feedback can also be emailed to mailto:sydneyyoursay@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or posted to City Engagement, City of Sydney, GPO Box 1591, Sydney NSW 2000.

Council representatives are scheduled to speak with residents at the northern entrance to Waterloo Metro station on Thursday, 12 February, from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm and Saturday, 14 February, from 12 pm to 1 pm, weather permitting.

Published 10-Feb-2026

Hundreds Gather at Redfern’s Cathedral of the Annunciation for 44th Cretan Federation Convention

The Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern became a vibrant showcase of Cretan heritage in January 2026, as hundreds of community members from across Australia and New Zealand gathered for a special church service marking the 44th National Cretan Federation Convention.

Read: Redfern-Based Salvos Welcome New Leaders Colonels John and Lani Chamness

A celebration of heritage and faith

Photo credit: Facebook/Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW

Archbishop Makarios of Australia presided over the service, which drew Cretan youth dressed in traditional costumes from every Australian state and New Zealand. The sight of young people in authentic Cretan dress filled the Redfern cathedral with a colourful display of cultural pride, creating a powerful reminder that traditions passed down through generations remain alive and thriving in the diaspora.

Deep historical connections

In his homily, Archbishop Makarios acknowledged the young people’s commitment to preserving their heritage. He also highlighted the profound historical bonds between Australia and Crete, including those forged during the 1941 Battle of Crete.

The Archbishop noted that this wartime connection has endured across generations, with Archbishops of Cretan descent having led the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia for roughly half of its 100-year history. This underscores the significant role the Cretan community has played in shaping Greek Orthodoxy in Australia.

Five days of cultural celebration

The church service at the Cathedral of the Annunciation formed part of a five-day convention hosted by the Cretan Association of Sydney and New South Wales, which brought together more than 250 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand. The convention launched with a harbour cruise that attracted over 370 attendees.

Following the liturgy, delegates enjoyed morning tea at the cathedral, where the focus turned to the next generation. Youth performers from around the country took centre stage, demonstrating traditional Cretan dances. Their skilled performances delighted the crowd and earned special recognition from the Archbishop.

Exchanging commemorations

The morning tea concluded with a meaningful exchange of commemorative items. Archbishop Makarios presented specially minted coins to all young participants—coins created to mark the centenary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. The gesture acknowledged both the historic milestone and the youth’s role in carrying Greek and Cretan culture forward.

Emmanuel Mountakis, President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, reciprocated on behalf of all member organisations by presenting the Archbishop with a commemorative plaque.

Musical traditions from the homeland

Later that day, Archbishop Makarios welcomed three musicians from Crete at the Archdiocese’s central offices. Michalis Harkiolakis, Georgios Koudoumougiannakis and Vaggelis Bagourakis had made the journey from Crete specifically to perform at convention events. They were joined by National Cretan Federation Youth President Ari Paraskakis for the meeting.

Read: Revolve Gallery Brings Fresh Creative Energy to Redfern’s Arts Scene

A week packed with activities

The convention, which ran from 2 to 6 January at the Cathedral of the Annunciation, featured an ambitious program including the Federation’s Annual General Meeting, a dinner dance that drew 533 attendees, and youth-focused activities and sporting events.

The gathering aimed to provide a platform for cultural preservation and the promotion of Cretan values among younger generations.

Looking ahead, the Cretan Federation confirmed that the 45th convention will be held in Canberra in 2027, ensuring the tradition of bringing together Cretan communities from across Australia and New Zealand continues.

Published 10-February-2026