Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW commemorates 60 years

This year, the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW celebrated a milestone 60 years.

To commemorate, in November they held a 60th Anniversary Dinner Dance which saw over 630 people attend, including His Eminence Archbishop Makarios.

Current President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis stated that the event was a testament to the strength of the Association. "Amongst the people attending our events, were many children and youth, which gives me hope that our traditions will be passed down to the next generation...They give me much hope that our Association will experience many more milestones to come and will continue for many years," he continued.

One of the biggest changes to the association is their newly renovated space that can be used for their members. "The office was previously used for monthly meetings so it wasn’t accessible to our members, nor did it’s layout make it practical to hold events and functions. Since then the space has been extensively renovated with new windows, electrical works, plumbing, flooring, painting, signage and a new kitchen and bathroom. The space is now called the “Cretan House” and is a place where we can hold smaller functions, youth events, welcome dinners, conferences and dance practices. In the new year the committee plans to have the space open on a particular night per week for our members to use and socialise."

Terry feels very honoured and humble to be the youngest President the association has had. "I look back with awe and great appreciation of the contributions of all past presidents, committee members, sponsors, dance teachers, dance students, members, volunteers and friends over the last 60 years that have ensured the continuation of our Association to this day. Our Association has a very strong youth presence. It therefore gives me much hope that due to the strong foundations laid over the 60 years, our youth will rise up and continue the association for many more years to come," he stated.

The Cretan Association is very active in the Greek Community. Throughout the year, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Generation Greek Australians have participated in several events including:

• The 40th Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand (CFANZ) Convention in Hobart, Tasmania
• 37th Greek Festival Of Sydney
• Greek Independence Day
• The first Taverna Night of 2019
• Commemorations of the 78th Anniversary of the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign
• ANZAC Day
• Fundraiser organised by the Hellenic Women of Sydney
• Justice of Cyprus
• Kritiko/Laiko event at DEFI II
• OXI Day
• Doxology and trisagion to commemorate the 153rd Anniversary of the Holocaust of Arkadi

About the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW

After the Battle of Crete and the conclusion of World War Two, Australia saw a large influx of immigrants from Greece and the island of Crete, who made the hard decision to leave their war torn homeland to look for new opportunities in Australia.

Formed in 1959 by Cretan immigrants, the Cretan Association became a community where migrants and their families could come together and continue the traditions of Crete in Sydney.

To continue the traditions of Crete, a dancing group was established shortly after the Cretan Association’s formation. Originally dancing at dinner dances in normal clothes, the dancing group started to perform at Greek Community events and purchased traditional Cretan Dancing costumes.

In the coming years the Cretan Association would hold events to commemorate the Battle of Crete and the Holocaust of Arkadi and participated in the annual Greek Community events.

To this day, the association holds traditional Cretan dancing lessons for the youth on Friday Nights at Ashbury Senior Citizen’s Centre and currently have over 70 dance students, who perform in traditional Cretan costumes from all around Crete.

Image credit: Euphoria Photography