Seminar: Breaking New Ground: The First Greek Australian Ambassador to Greece

Abstract:
Join Jenny Bloomfield for a presentation of Australian Ambassador, her memoir tracing a remarkable journey from Greece to Australia and back again. As the first Greek Australian and the first woman to serve as Australia’s Ambassador to Greece during the difficult years of the debt crisis. Jenny shares a powerful story of identity, belonging, public service, women in diplomacy and the enduring ties between Australia and Greece — a conversation about heritage, resilience and how our societies are strengthened by all who arrive with hope and a desire to contribute.
Bio:
Jenny Bloomfield had a distinguished 29-year career as an Australian diplomat and public servant. She served as Australia’s ambassador to Greece, was Australia’s representative in Taiwan, and had postings in Iran and Japan. Jenny also held senior positions at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra and led the department’s Victoria State Office in Melbourne. Since retiring in 2024, she has published widely on political, economic and foreign policy issues in Australian and international media, including the Australian Financial Review, the Lowy Institute’s Interpreter, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s The Strategist and Neos Kosmos. Her forthcoming book is Australian Ambassador.
Sponsor:
During the course of the year considerable expenses are incurred in staging the seminars. In order to mitigate these costs individuals or organisations are invited to donate against a lecture of their choice.
You can donate for one or more seminars and (optionally) let your name or brand be known as a patron of culture to our members, visitors and followers, as well as the broader artistic and cultural community of Melbourne.
Please email: [email protected]
This event is part of the 2026 Greek History and Culture Seminars.