|
|
|
|
|
From the President
The holidays are over and we will have our first committee meeting on 16th February to plan our activities for 2016. As mentioned in our last e-bulletin we need a part-time paid administrator to look after the archives and databases, both of which are up-to-date and in good order. There has been no response. There must be someone out there who would enjoy maintaining the archives, so please use your networks to encourage applicants. We also need a Secretary to assist the committee, mainly for minute taking and correspondence. Please consider this role.
I took the opportunity over the break to have one of my knees replaced, and so missed the opportunity to attend the Kastellorizian Council of Australia (KCA) conference in Brisbane. Dr George Stabelos represented the KAV and presented the report from Victoria as well as a multi-media presentation on ‘Future Directions of Kazzies’ that was enthusiastically received. At our coming committee meeting we will discuss arrangements for our members to have a repeat performance of George’s presentation, to stimulate discussion regarding our own club’s future.
The KCA conference, ‘Celebrating all that is Kazzie’, was an outstanding success with about 200 people attending the conference and/or the associated social events, with strong representation from NSW and WA, and, of course, Queensland. Congratulations must go to the conference convener, Stathis Efstathis and his committee: Dr Anastasia Anastas, Michael Boubaris – president of the Kastellorizian Association of Queensland - Despo Efstathis, Betty Yanardasis and George Yanardasis, and the team of 14 volunteers. The conference report from the President of the KCA, Yvonne Panagacos, and from Dr George Stabelos, including photos, will be placed on our website in due course. In the meantime more on the conference, from our delegate George Stabelos, appears below.
|
|
|
Group of attendees at the KCA Conference, Brisbane 22-26 January 2016
|
|
|
One of the important outcomes of the conference is the need for all Kastellorizians to support their clubs in seeking ways to engage our youth, and to maintain our connection with our rich heritage. If we want to celebrate the centenary of the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria in 2025, we need to keep our club viable and attractive to the next generation.
Lots of people, from time to time, have great ideas, but ideas without action plans and workers just don't go anywhere. Next time you think or say ‘why doesn’t the club do this’ or why doesn’t the club do that,’ or ‘the club should do this’, think instead of putting forward a plan that you are prepared to champion and help carry through. I am forever grateful to those members and committee members who put up their hands to be involved in organising events and carrying out day-to-day tasks and special tasks. Without people who are prepared to work, clubs like ours would quickly go under.
Congratulations are extended to the three Kastellorizians included in The Australia Day Honours list, our own George Pappas from Victoria, and brothers Stathis and Vlasis Efstathis from Queensland:
Appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO)
George Pappas (Hawthorn Vic) for distinguished service to the community through roles with tertiary education, medical research and defence organisations, and to business, particularly management consulting.
Appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Dr Vlasis Pistonis Efstathis (OAM RFD). Flinders View, Qld. For significant service to communithy health through leadership roles with a range of organisations, and to medicine as a practitioner.
Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Stathis Efstathis Raby Bay, Qld. For service to the Greek community of Queensland.
George Pappas is the current Kastellorizian of the Year, and Stathis Efstathis was Kastellorizian of the year in 2013.
It is most gracious of the Ithacans to invite us to join in their picnic celebrating their club’s centenary. I encourage you all to attend the picnic at Ferny Creek on Sunday 14th February (details below). It should be a great family day and lots of fun.
Nick Lolatgis
President
|
|
Family Picnic Reminder
|
|
Sunday 14th February – Combined picnic with the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 11am – 4pm Ferny Creek
The Ithacan Philanthropic Society is celebrating 100 years in 2016, and has invited members of the KAV to join in the celebrations at the family picnic at Ferny Creek.
The Ferny Creek Reserve will be hired by the Ithacans. The Reserve has barbecue facilities and a large oval. There is also a hall in case it rains.
There will be several activities including a Jumping Castle, show bags, races (about 2.00 pm), many prizes for children and adults, tennis, Ice-Creams for all, face painting, a ‘Balloonologist’ and a free Sausage Sizzle put on by Rotary. Plus in the Picnic Hall, a Grand Afternoon Tea with delicious Ithacan/Greek sweets to share and celebrate the centenary of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society Of Melbourne.
Proceed up Burwood Highway to Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, off Sherbrooke Road
(Melways Reference 75 E1).
|
|
|
March 2, Wednesday, 12 noon
The Seniors Lunch will be held at Tommy Ruff Restaurant, 1 – 3 Carre Street, Elsternwick. If you wish to attend, please telephone to reserve a place.
March 6, Sunday
A block booking has been made for Taxithi, the highly acclaimed theatrical play exploring the odyssey of Greek migrant women, written by actor/singer Helen Yotis Patterson.
Sunday, March 6, 5.00 pm at 45 Downstairs (Flinders Lane). Please make a reservation if you wish to attend.
Meet at 4.30 pm SHARP outside Lindrum Hotel, 26 Flinders Street. The performance time is 90 minutes without an interval. Ticket is $35, and for KAV seniors $25 (KAV seniors will be subsidised $10
Payment may be made at the Tommy Ruff event on March 2, or as arranged. Nearest tram stop is Flinders and Spring Streets corner. We will enter the theatre from Spark Lane to avoid using the staircase into the theatre. If coming by car the Wilson Car park next door has a flat rate for Sunday - $14 after 4.00 pm.
This event is open to all members.
For bookings and further information:
Christine Dimer, President
9592 9450, Mobile 0432 915 049
Peter Christophas, Treasurer
9379 8635, Mobile 0422 586 177
|
|
KCA Conference
22-26 January 2016
|
|
It was good to see a comprehensive report of the conference in NEOS KOSMOS, on Saturday 6 February.
Dr George Stabelos, the KAV delegate has provided a report which will be posted on to our website in due course. His multi-media presentation, “Future Directions of Kazzies”, was enthusiastically received, and as noted in our President’s report above, arrangements will be made for our members to view and discuss it.
What stood out for George was the vast array of ideas and thoughts that were presented through a smorgasbord of prominent presenters and speakers, as well as a lively youth panel.
Some impressive quotes from the speakers, as reported by George:
“Inside every Kazzie there is an innovator” – Peta Mandikos Tilse (Qld). Financial Services professional and innovator.
“The best legacy we can leave is to pass on our heritage and culture to the next generation”- George Pizanis, NSW Castellorizian Club Board member, KCA NSW delegate, business owner.
“They say people around the world have six degrees of separation. With Kazzies, it is one or two”- Allan Cresswell, genealogist and President Castellorizian Association WA
“We can collaborate with other similar organisations”- Jack Barbouttis (Qld). Financial Planning professional.
"Through many hands, great things can be achieved; collaboration is the key, focus on families and youth is important"- Michael Anastas (Qld), lawyer and President Greek Orthodox Community of St George, and The Greek Club, Brisbane.
"Everyone is starving for Culture"- Costa Yanardasis, (Qld) Medical science/medical student, Griffith University.
"The first question people ask when we are organising a youth function, is ‘who's going?’. What binds us together is our friends"- Rebecca Mangos (NSW) BA/Laws student and Q & A youth panel member.
“Maybe the younger generation needs to understand that Greece is not just the place Yiayia and Papou came from, or just a place for holidays. It is incumbent upon Greek speaking parents to ensure their children don’t lose the language (or culture or history)... that it is our responsibility to not lose touch with where we came from”- George Stabelos (Vic) Kastellorizian Association Victoria committee, medical practitioner, quoting Zoe Stokes- Paizis, a 15 year old from Melbourne with British and Ithacan parents
|
|
Costa Yanandarsis (Qld) (biomedical/medical student) discussing Kazzie Youth and the Future.
The Youth Q & A panel included Jake Kyranis (Qld) (lawyer), Rebecca Mangos (NSW) BA/Laws student, Dr John Bacalakis (QLD)(dental surgeon), Jack Barbouttis (Qld) (financial planning professional), Maryann Efstathis (Qld) Commerce/Accounting student UQ, Anna-Jane Kyranis (Qld) Accountant, Anastasia Passaris (Qld) Law/business student QUT.
|
|
|
James and Alexandra Kanaris welcomed the arrival of a beautiful son, named Anthony James, on January 9th 2016. Anthony is the ninth grandchild of Michael and Dianne Spartels and the first grandchild for Anthony and Helen Kanaris.
|
|
Greeks in the Northern Territory.
A wonderful video has been placed on Youtube, and will be of interest to many of our members with Darwin connections, and of interest generally for an insight into the history of the Top End. Greeks, including Kastellorizians and Kalymnians, played a large role in the development of the Northern Territory. The video is called “Greeks in the Northern Territory”.
The video was produced a few years ago and was recently posted to Youtube by Nick Moraitis who moderates Anagnostis, the electronic Magazine promoting Greek culture in Australia and the world. The above video is promoted in the e-magazine and can be viewed here
There is also a link to the video on the Kastellorizian Associaton of Victoria’s facebook page.
A report and slide show of our “Treasures from Kastellorizo” exhibition is also still on the Anagnostis site for viewing here
|
|
Other News
|
SPEAK GREEK IN MARCH
Following the success last year of the above program, the event will again be held this year in March. The ‘Speak Greek in March’ campaign is a marketing tool aimed at stimulating interest in the need to retain our language. There is a very strong correlation between language and culture. Our identity and culture will weaken if our language continues to decline.
Lonsdale Street Greek Festival 27 and 28 February.
A weekend of Greek culture, food and entertainment, featuring three stages of free entertainment, children’s rides and activities, and over 60 food, drink and craft stalls.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
