VOICE OVER:
Australia is the world’s largest island nation, responsible
for 16 million square kilometres of ocean.
Australia’s
maritime zone includes 12,000 islands and covers all five of the world’s ocean
temperature zones.
Australia’s
marine environment is home to spectacular biodiversity, much of it unique to
Australian waters.
Australia
is a significant maritime nation reliant on safe, secure and efficient
international shipping for its economic prosperity.
H.E. MRS JENNY POLYXENI BLOOMFIELD,
AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE:
As
an island nation, the sea has been the pillar of Australia’s development.
From
the pioneering spirit of seafarers and mariners that led to European settlement
over 200 years ago, through to the ships transporting our goods to key export
markets today, the sea and shipping connect us to the rest of the
world.
VOICE OVER:
For
Australia and Greece, the sea and ships have played an important role in our
global connectivity.
For
the defence of our shores.
For
the movement of our people.
For our common history.
In 1915, more than 400,000 young Australians sailed
across the seas to take part in Australia’s first major military campaign in
Gallipoli, landing on the Greek island of Lemnos.
In
WWII, Australians once again responded to the call for the common struggle for
freedom, disembarking in Greece, in March 1941.
The
strong bonds of friendship forged between Australians and Greeks, last until
our days.
In
the post-war period, when thousands of Greeks sailed from Piraeus, across the
seas, to find a new home in Australia, they were welcomed by a friendly nation.
CAPTAIN NIKOLAOS SOUTOS, CHAIRMAN OF SOUTOS GROUP OF COMPANIES:
I
served as a First Officer on board “Patris” for 16 months, since the first
voyage, which was in August 1959.
The
trip from Piraeus to the last port of Australia, Sydney, takes about 34 days.
Every time we carried 1500 passengers, immigrants, and
these people were coming from every corner around Greece.
I
was very much surprised to see sometimes the whole village coming from an
island or from North Greece, or from Peloponnesus, to see their people going to
a new country, to find their new destiny, and hoping one day to see them
again.
H.E. MRS JENNY POLYXENI BLOOMFIELD, AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE:
The Greek-Australian community is
an integral part of Australia’s multicultural society, making significant
contributions to all aspects of Australian life.
VOICE OVER:
As
an island nation, shipping is vital to Australia.
Today, ships move one billion
tonnes of iron ore, coal, wheat, and other goods in and out of Australia’s
ports each year.
Seventy
per cent of this trade is with the Asia-Pacific, reflecting Australia’s
strategic location, and increased economic participation within this
fast-growing region.
H.E. MRS JENNY POLYXENI BLOOMFIELD, AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE:
Greek shipping plays an important part in supporting
Australia’s trade performance, carrying Australia’s energy, resources and food
exports to our key markets in Asia and around the world.
MR MICHAEL BODOUROGLOU, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, PARAGON SHIPPING INC.,
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC-AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL:
Australia
is very important for Greek shipping.
Australia
is the largest exporter of dry bulk commodities in the world.
Greece
on the other hand is the largest shipowner of dry bulk vessels in the world.
So
what this means is that a significant percentage of Australian exports is
carried on board Greek-controlled ships.
CAPTAIN PANAYIOTIS N. TSAKOS, Founder of Tsakos Group of Companies;
Founding Member of the Hellenic-Australian Business Council:
Greek shipping. Thalassa. For
Greece, it’s Greece itself. It’s our country.
Greek
shipping is maybe fifty percent of the European Union’s fleet and you will find
a lot of it, a big large number of it servicing Australia.
So
we can proudly say that we are servicing the imports and exports of Australia.
Approaching, if not exceeding, fifty percent.
MR MICHAEL BODOUROGLOU, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, PARAGON SHIPPING INC.,
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC-AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS COUNCIL:
I
believe that this successful example of cooperation between the two countries,
can also be replicated, and should be replicated, in other sectors of the
economy.
VOICE OVER:
Australia
and Greece are working in the International Maritime Organisation to promote
maritime safety, security and pollution prevention.
H.E. MRS JENNY POLYXENI BLOOMFIELD, AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR TO GREECE:
Australia
is one of the world’s most attractive trade and investment destinations.
As
the world’s 12th largest
economy, chair of the G20 this year, Australia is working with our
international partners to promote trade and investment, economic growth and job
creation.
THE HON TONY ABBOTT, PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA:
Australia
and Greece share a long and strong friendship. It was forged on the front line
as Australian soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with the Greek people in
World War II.
Our two nations share close
business links, especially with Greek ships transporting so much of Australia’s
resources. As well, there are almost 400,000 Australians of Greek heritage who
enrich our culture.
Australia is proud to be a friend of Greece and I look
forward to us building an even stronger relationship in the years ahead.
