The Victorian Pontian organisation Pontiaki Estia recently clocked its 33rd anniversary yet instead of celebrating its longevity the Pontian association seems to be engulfed in an intergenerational battle.

The new board which was elected in March this year is mainly comprised of second generation Australian Pontians. And it is this board which is actively pursuing the sale of the organisation’s 4.5 acre property in West Sunshine.

Proponents of the sale argue that this would better serve the needs of Pontiaki Estia as they seek to relocate to other premises.

The President of the board Nikos Krikelis, in his speech at the 33rd Anniversary Ball of the organisation outlined these goals.

“Changing times do bring about new needs, that are sometimes unfamiliar and difficult to accept. The current executive committee does not hide its intentions. In fact we have made them clear from the beginning. We believe in securing the future of this Association, so that tomorrow it exists and is ready to cater for the next generation,” Mr Krikelis said.

He went on to say, “We want to establish a new cultural centre that caters for young and old, with a function room, offices, a dance studio and a space for exhibitions equipped with the latest technologies. For us to do this there is a need to relocate to a new premises.”

“ We are aware of the challenges that lie ahead, and we will not be frightened or discouraged,” he added.

This move, however, has met active resistance from the older generation of members and especially from its founding members such as Stathis Tsitaridis.

Mr Tsitaridis has also served as the first President of Pontiaki Estia. Speaking to Neos Kosmos English Edition (NKEE) he made clear the rationale behind the campaign mounted against the sale of the property.

“We have worked very hard to create this place and we don’t want to see our efforts and dreams go to waste,” Mr Tsitaridis stressed.

He suggested that these emotional ties are very important for the founding members of the organisation.

Although, Mr Tsitaridis said that he welcomes the “participation of younger generations” into Pontiaki Estia he cautioned that certain younger members had “betrayed the trust” shown to them by older members.

He clarified that older members are not seeking to hold the reins of power.

He further raised issues of “economic mismanagement” in the organisation and of attempts to alter the character of Pontiaki Estia through the extensive enrolment of new members who he termed as “fake-members”, in other words members who were neither Pontian nor had a significant interest in Pontian culture or affairs.

Mr Tsitaridis called on the board to accept a compromise by selling only part of the property.

He also indicated that, “regardless of Sunday’s decision we’re prepared to challenge this matter in courts.”

By the time this report went to print the outcome of the Extraordinary General Meeting that took place yesterday was not known.

The Meeting’s sole purpose was to reach a final solution for the property.

When contacted by NKEE former President of Pontiaki Estia and current Board member Litsa Athanasiadis denied Mr Tsiatridis’ claims of economic mismanagement and membership stacking.

She underscored that although the contribution of the older members is respected and acknowledged, “we have all worked hard for Pontiaki Estia”.

She insisted that the sale of the property was a forward looking vision “into the future of the organisation and rejected the possibility of selling only part of the property as “this would diminish the potential value.”

Mrs Athanasiadis suggested that a mini bus service shuttling members to the new location could be a compromise solution.

She highlighted the fact that the move was imperative as most members do not live close to the West Sunshine area.

Mrs Athanasiadis said that two alternative sites have been located to house the needs of Pontiaki Estia, in North Melbourne and Essendon respectively.