Australia and Greece have long shared a special bond, and this was reaffirmed on Wednesday night by ABC Radio at the Greek Centre in Melbourne, with the launch of its Action For Athens appeal.

Reflecting on the tragic experiences closer to home during the Black Saturday fires, the ABC has teamed up with the Australian Red Cross and the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) to raise funds for the Hellenic Red Cross, which is continuing to provide humanitarian support for people and communities affected by the fires that struck Attica on 23 July, resulting in the loss of life, injuries and destruction of homes and property.

ABC Radio encouraged Victorians to donate generously throughout the day, and in the evening a special fundraiser benefit concert was broadcast live from the Greek hub on Lonsdale Street.

“It was fantastic; wonderful to see the love in the room from so many of our fellow Melburnians,” The Greek Centre’s director Jorge Menidis told Neos Kosmos.

“We were at full capacity and the program was phenomenal.”

Hosted by The Friday Revue’s Richelle Hunt and Brian Nankervis, the appeal attracted a stellar line-up of musicians; Ayleen O’Hanlon’s compelling singing mesmerised the crowd, who were also entertained by Jessie Lloyd’s Mission Songs, La Voce della Luna Italian women’s choir, and Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier who performed an array of different musical styles, from roots, to rock to traditional Greek, culminating in a rebetiko performance by Melbourne band Philhellenes joined by You Am I frontman, Tim Rogers, which Menidis said was a sight to behold.

“The final act was particularly pleasing for me; you literally had six people on stage, and only one of them was Greek, all playing wonderful Greek music,” he said.

“It was a beautiful celebration, done with a lot of love and care, and a lot of new people in our building that we were very happy to host.”

The Friday Revue's Brian Nankervis and Richelle Hunt and Brian Nankervis presented the event .

Ayleen O'Hanlon.

GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, with Greek Consul General Dimitrios Michalopoulos and The Friday Revue's Richelle Hunt and Brian Nankervis.

Jessie Lloyd.

Italian women's choir La Voce della Luna.

Acclaimed Greek Australian poet Pi O.

Media Personality George Donikian.

Legendary rock duo Willie Zygier and Deborah Conway, perform for the Greek fire victims..

Volunteers gathering donations.

Komninos reads his poetry at the event.

Con Kalamaras.

Mairead Hannan, performing with the Philhellenes.

Hunt and Nankervis conducted insightful interviews with the Greek Consul General in Melbourne, Dimitris Mihalopoulos, GCM President Bill Papastergiadis, and media personality George Donikian.

Special guests also included poets Komninos and Pi O, and Australian Red Cross Victorian Executive Director, Wenda Donaldson.

“It heartened me enormously to have our national broadcaster interested in our issues; to give national exposure to matters that are dear to our heart as Greek Australians,” Mr Papastergiadis told Neos Kosmos.

The president was particularly impressed by the ABC’s commitment to providing Greece with not only immediate relief, but to develop an action plan for crisis management long-term.
“It’s the long-term effect of such devastation on people’s lives that really needs to be monitored,” he noted, “and the work that’s done by the Hellenic Red Cross is not for just today or tomorrow … we’re talking about long-term crisis management and that’s what the Hellenic Red Cross is about.”

The appeal has raised over $14,000 for the Hellenic Red Cross as it continues providing humanitarian support for those affected by the Greek fires. That number is expected to rise as the appeal continues over the coming weeks. Those wishing to donate can do so online at redcross.org.au/greece or call 1800 Red Cross.

GCM launches campaign to equip Hellenic volunteer firefighters

Apart from the collaboration with ABC, the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) has launched a campaign, on the recommendation of the Greek government, to raise funds to support the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Union (HVFU), who are in need of protective clothing and equipment for its 2,000 strong volunteer force.

“Through the government we found out that a number of the volunteer fire fighters just don’t have protective clothing and it costs €1,000 (AUD$1,565) to dress a volunteer fire fighter,” said The Greek Centre’s director Jorge Menidis.

“So we’re raising funds that will go directly to that; you raise €10,000, you dress 10 fire fighters.”

The GCM has set up a fund through which people can donate directly to the cause. Meanwhile all proceeds from the Live At The Greek event scheduled to take place on 24 August will also be donated.

All funds raised will be presented to the HVFU directly in mid-September when a GCM delegation is due to visit Greece.

To contribute to the fund, deposit money to:
Bank: Commonwealth Bank
Name: Athens Fires Relief Fund
BSB: 063 023
A/C No: 1048 1886

For organisations interested in contributing, a meeting will be held on Wednesday 22 August at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC) from 7.00-9.00 pm.
For more information on the HVFU, visit http://www.vfu.gr/index.php/8-right_area/425-support-volunteer-firefighters