I feel privileged to make a brief contribution to mark the 200th anniversary of Greek independence. I thank the Greek goddesses in the Parliament today, the member for Miranda and the Member for Canterbury, and their excellent sidekick the member for Rockdale. We are very lucky to have those great Greek Australians representing their communities so ably in this House, Australia's oldest Parliament. It is absolutely appropriate that we talk about the legacy of the Greek community here; they were the inventors of democracy and, as we have heard, probably of everything. It is a momentous and historic day for the Greek community in Australia and across the world. I congratulate the organisations and the Greek Australians taking part in the many important celebrations of this day.

Greek Independence Day marks the momentous struggle for freedom and independence from the Ottoman Empire and in so many ways has changed the course of human history. For the many Greek migrants who now call Australia home it continues to have renewed significance and has become an important opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the rich traditions of the Greek people in a new world. Greek migrants have helped build the multicultural and diverse communities that I am very proud to represent. The traditions, customs and celebrations of our proud Greek communities are inseparable from the way people think about the parts of Sydney that I represent—suburbs like Marrickville and Dulwich Hill, for example. Those traditions and cultures live in the extraordinary work of local community groups.

I mention some in my electorate, including the ATLAS Community Centre and the Greek Orthodox Parish of Saint Nicholas, which I think of today with its many celebrations and its beautiful, active Greek school that I am always proud to visit and support whenever possible. I acknowledge the Hellenic Art Theatre at Addison Road Community Centre and the many Greek family businesses that attract people from across Sydney and New South Wales. Today in Sydney's inner west we are celebrating with the official renaming of a stretch of Marrickville Road between Livingstone Road and Victoria Road as "Little Greece". All Sydneysiders should come to visit Little Greece—what a wonderful part of Sydney! I pay tribute to the amazing businesses in that precinct, many of which are my favourites.

One of the best and cheapest sandwiches in Sydney is available at Lamia Super Deli. The cheese and spinach triangles at the Hellenic Patisserie are to die for. Athena Cake Shop is a problem for my waistline and has been trading for over 20 years. I acknowledge Faros Seafood, many of the cafes and the Corinthian Greek Restaurant, which has been trading on Marrickville Road for over 50 years. It is a beautiful part of Sydney made all the richer and more vibrant by the contribution of those Greek Australians. Let us celebrate Little Greece today. Members should come to visit in Marrickville. It is just a small recognition of the contribution that Greek Australians have made to our community. I acknowledge that Greek culture and history are very much a live and breathing part of Sydney. I join my colleagues in honouring this important day and the contribution of generations of Greek Australians across Sydney and New South Wales.