The Greek communities of Sydney and Melbourne had the opportunity to meet and greet the visiting Greek Cultural Minister Dr Lina Mendoni during receptions held in her honour and hosted by the Consulates General of Greece in Sydney and Melbourne, on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings respectively.
SYDNEY
In Sydney, the event was held at the Beta Gallery of the Hellenic Club of Sydney and was attended by over 70 people, including politicians and prominent members of local Greek community groups.
Attending the event were His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia; Mr George Vardas, Co-Vice President, Australian Parthenon Association; Sophie Cotsis, the Member for Canterbury; Member for Rockdale, Steve Kamper; Peter Poulos MLC; Courtney Houssos MLC; Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos; and the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), Mr Harry Danalis; among many others.
The Australian Hellenic Choir performed on the evening under the stewardship of conductor Leon Vitogiannis with speeches given by the Consul General Mr Karras, Vice President of the Hellenic Club of Sydney, Bill Kritharas and of course the Minister herself Dr Lina Mendoni.
“I wanted to come to Sydney because it was a great opportunity to get to know the Greeks here, who have a very prosperous community, to connect on a personal and political level, and to strengthen co-operation between Greece and Australia,” Dr Mendoni said.
“Our bonds are closely tied and have deep roots as Australian and Greek people have fought together in the first and second world wars.”
During the evening Greek City Times photographer Mr Nick Bourdaniotis presented the Minister with this highly acclaimed Evzones Photography Collection which is scheduled for an exhibition in Sydney on the 27 - 29 May 2022 at the Hellenic Club Sydney, Beta – The Grand. Address: Level 2, 238 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000 (Above Aplha Restaurant)
Dr Mendoni acknowledged that she was thoroughly familiar with the Evzones Collection which she praised for its artistic quality and professionalism.
MELBOURNE
Attending the Melbourne reception held at The National Archaeological Museum of Greece in Melbourne, were among others His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis (Consul General of Greece, Melbourne), Mr Tony Tsourdalakis (Chairman for Victorian Council of Greek National Day) Mr Bill Papastergiadis (President of the Greek Community in Melbourne) Captain Stavros Kouloumbas, Maria Vamvakinou MP, Lee Tarlamis MP, Senator David Vann, former Greek Australian ministers John Pandazopoulos and Theo Theofanous, Elly Symons Vice President of the Australian Parthenon Committee.
Left to Right Mr Tony Tsourdalakis (Chairman for Victorian Council of Greek National Day) , His Grace Bishop Evmenios of Kerasounta, Mrs. Mary Gakopoulou CEO of “Agapi Care Inc”, Father Constantine.
Speeches from the evening, Video from Elly Symons for Greek City Times.
