Hellenic Lyceum of Sydney’s Mother’s Day lunch to honour inspirational women.

Hellenic Lyceum

The Hellenic Lyceum Sydney held its Mother’s Day luncheon at the beautiful venue of Le Montage on 16 May 2023, with over 200 guests attending with Master of Ceremony Hellen Dimas addressing the order of proceeding.

Speakers on the day were special guest Ioannis Mallikourtis, Greek Consulate of Sydney and guest speaker Professor Helen Zorbas AO which warmed the guests’ hearts with their honesty in sharing their life stories.

Professor Zorbas, spoke about her extraordinary life and her position as chair of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) and shared her personal reflections from her over 45-year career in the specialist area of breast cancer research.

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Guest speaker Professor Helen Zorbas AO

Also in attendance was Christiana Stavrou, Professor Helen Vatsikopoulos and Emmy Award Winner, Electra Manikakis.

President, Liana Vertzayias addressed the room with heartfelt sentiments for Mother’s Day.

She went on to say, "A portion of the earnings from the sale of tickets and raffle tickets will be donated to the Westmead Children's Hospital in Sydney." Mrs Vertzayias emphasised a big thank you to her committee and subcommittees for their hard work in planning the Mother's Day event.

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Hellenic Lyceum official table

The Hellenic Lyceum events always have wonderful prizes to be won. This Mother’s Day Luncheon at Le Montage was no exception.

A special mention to the sponsor who always supports The Hellenic Lyceum events which is Bowerhaus for donating the first prize valued at $1500. In addition, two donors donated $500 each namely, Kathy Sinesiou in memory of her mother and Soula Gerasimou and Vice President of Samian Association on behalf of the Samians.

There were many winners from lucky door prizes, table prizes, eldest and youngest mothers and raffles.

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Partial proceeds are to be donated to The Children's Hospital at Westmead.

The Hellenic Lyceum Sydney is a subsidiary of the Lykion Ellinidon (also known as the Lyceum Club of Greek Women). It was founded in Athens, Greece in 1911 by Callirrhoe Siganou-Parren. The aim of the Hellenic Lyceum Sydney is to promote Hellenic culture through dance, costumes, jewellery, literature, textiles, symposiums, recitals and theatre.

Photo Gallery of the Mother's Day Lunch

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Photographer Maritsa Micos Dragonas

Nick Bourdaniotis

Director of Photography

Born in Nambour, Queensland, Nick Bourdaniotis grew up in Brisbane till 2001 and then moved to Sydney. Nick's passion for photography began from a young age and his unique and artistic approach to capturing a moment in time ensures his images are always a standout. In his late 30s, his peers pushed him into being a professional photographer as he was taking amazing holiday photos from around the world and here in Sydney. In his mid-40s, Nick's photos were recognized internationally in the Greek community and used in international and local Australian-based publications. Photographing for St Spyridon College is when Nick took his first iconic global photo, the college's year 12 prefect students walking onto the opera house forecourt for the 25th March celebrations in 2015. For the next three consecutive years, Nick photographed iconic photos of the 25th March in Sydney that went viral worldwide. Mid 2016, Greek City Times employed Nick as a photographer. Over the next year, he earnt the title of Greek City Times' Director of Photography and Videography, which he still carries today. Greek City Times is a global media publication outlet. Nick also worked as the photographer for "My Greek Odyssey" TV travel show in Greece, which airs to over 50 million people worldwide. Nick was the lead photographer for the state funeral of the late Archbishop of Australia Stylianos and captured the funeral service and burial for archival and media purposes worldwide. Nick has been photographing significant events for The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia since 2015. In Sydney and Greece, Nick also captures moving moments in time for The Hellenic Incentive (THI), which in 2020 in Greece will work with the associated partners to document the homeless and various charity organizes THI partner within the incentive program. In 2019 Nick was asked to photograph an Australian fashion designer, Thessi Kouzoukas, from Sabba Shirts, which were amazing with Greece as its backdrop. Nick has been asked to photograph famous people, singers or entertainers because of his unique photography. In early 2020 Nick was a fully accredited photographer for the Australian Open tennis, in which he photographed the games of the Greek players and of heritage for publication in Greek City Times. Also, in 2022 Nick was George Kambosos Jr's official photographer at the lightweight world title fight in Melbourne, Australia. Nick's photos of The Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones) have been referred to as the best seen, and these photos have been published in books documenting the history of the Evzones. The most recent publication was the 150 years book of the Evzones released by the Presidential Guard Greece. Nick's versatility and professionalism have earned him an excellent reputation and a loyal high-profile clientele worldwide. Nick is not one to enter competitions or exhibitions as he leaves it up to his critics to judge his artistic unique way of photography. He has always said in his early 50's he will start to exhibit his work across Australia and aboard, as he has a few major exhibitions in the making. In 2021 Nick launched his photographic exhibition around Australia titled "The Evzones Collection" This photo exhibition endorsed by the Greek Presidential Guard and the Hellenic General Staff of National Defence has over 28 beautifully selected photos capturing and portraying the Evzones in a truly remarkable light. In 2023 The Evzones Collection photo exhibition will be exhibited in Athens and then around Greece. Nick's art uniquely evokes Hellenic pride with his images that are published all over the world.