Greek gods were smiling on the New South Wales town of Bingara on 5 April, as the Roxy Greek Museum was opened to an appreciative audience of over 300 people from all around Australia.
The main street of Bingara was blocked off, as the Gala Ball was held in an open ‘plateia’ with a Greek ‘paniyiri’ style atmosphere, under the sky that just cleared for the several hours of the museum opening.
Travelling 600 km north of Sydney to the outback NSW town wasn’t too much for those who attended a two-day opening of the historical Roxy Museum, dedicated to the history of Greek settlement in rural Australia.
“There was certainly a buzz amongst the local community as well as the Greek community across Australia,” said John Wearne, Roxy Greek Museum Committee member, and former mayor of Bingara.
“People were absolutely amazed when they saw it. We knew the museum was going to be special, but it has exceeded our expectations. It is world-class.”
Made possible by a $94,000 grant from the New South Wales Ministry for Arts, and donations from the Greek Australian Community and the Gwydir Shire Council, Roxy Museum was opened with the sounds of plate smashing and Greek Ha Va Le band, accompanied by Greek dancers from the Kytherian Association dance troupe.
“It was a great day that went until the early hours of Sunday morning. The opening exceeded all our expectations, and complimentary remarks in this regard were made by the NSW Governor Professor Marie Bashir and the NSW Arts minister George Souris,” museum curator Peter Prineas told Neos Kosmos.
The museum was officially opened by Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of New South Wales. Amongst distinguished guests who attended the opening were the Mayor of Gwydir Shire Council, John Coulton; President of the Kytherian Association of Australia, Dr Victor Kepreotis, the Honourable George Souris, NSW Minister for Tourism and the Arts, and his Excellency Haris Dafaranos, the Ambassador of Greece.
As part of the two-day event, the Greek Immigration Olive Grove was launched, with an olive tree planting ceremony held on Cunningham Street in recognition of Greek migration to Australia.
“The first tree planted as part of the launch was dedicated to the three Greek Australians who built the Roxy Theatre in 1936 – Emanuel Aroney, Peter Feros and George Psaltis. Peter Aroney, grandson of Emmanuel Aroney, Arthur Stathakis, godson of George Psaltis, and myself, as grandson of Peter Feros, planted the tree in their honour. We planted it on the corner near the theatre, and hopefully it will be there 1000 years from now.”
“Other Greek Australians, local residents and visitors were also given the opportunity to pay tribute to a Greek family or friend who has migrated to Australia by purchasing an olive tree, as a way of raising money for the museum – and also Hellenising Bingara,” curator Peter Prineas said.
After the opening, the Gwydir Shire Council will be in charge of managing the museum. Incorporated within the Roxy complex is an information centre, a working cinema, a working ‘Greek’ café, a (TAFE) hospitality training college fully equipped with an industrial kitchen, and a conference room.
It is envisioned the museum will become the important cultural and pilgrimage site for all Greek Australians.