The Kastellorizian Association of Victoria has announced Nicholas G. Pappas from Sydney as the 2010 Kastellorizian of the Year.
Mr Pappas is well known for his books; Castellorizo; An Illustrated History of the Island and its Conquerors, (Halstead Press); Near Eastern Dreams: The French Occupation of Catellorizo, 1915-1921, (Halstead Press) among others. His website www.castellorizohistory.com is dedicated to the history and people of the island and he recently contributed to February’s edition of Australian Gourmet Traveller.
Mr Pappas’ parents were born on the rocky island of Kastellorizo, known to many simply as The Rock.
He was born in Sydney in 1961 and obtained his law degree at the University of NSW and began practicing in 1994. In 1996 he established his own law firm Nicholas G. Pappas & Co.
He has completed a PhD in Economic History from the University of Sydney and is married to Helene, also a lawyer, and they have twins in George and Marina.
Mr Pappas passion for the NRL and the Rabbitohs is undisguised. He’s long-standing association with the Rabbitohs extended as the Club’s legal advisor in its battle for reinstatement to the NRL after its exclusion from the competition in 1999.
In 2003 he became Chairman and in 2006, he supported and oversaw the Rabbitohs’ partial privatisation by Russell Crowe and peter Holmes a Court.
He’s been the Chairman of Laiki Bank Australia since 2006 and President, Board of Trustees, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney as well as Chairman, South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club Ltd. (The Rabbitohs) among many other leadership positions.