When Neos Kosmos called George Pavlides, the secretary of the Greek Cypriot Parent & Youth Club of the Western Suburbs, he mentioned, at first, that he was unable to talk,

“Because I’m in hospital right now. Maybe next week I can speak to you.” But when it was further explained that he had a chance to talk about his club’s drive to attract new members, he talked with great enthusiasm.

The Greek Cypriot Club Parent & Youth Club has been going since 1988 explained Pavlides,

“We want to encourage young Greek people to come visit our club, as well as more senior members of the Greek Community, to help us maintain our Greek culture.”

The Club will be celebrating Greek Culture Day on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, 2011 at the club’s premises in West Sunshine.

There are many activities being provided, free of charge, for those wanting to get involved, “like preparing Greek Cypriot food and pastries and lessons on Greek dancing,” said Pavlides.

The Club also has a bar if you’re keen to have a drink and table tennis and squash facilities.

“We will be organising teams for both table tennis and squash so there can be some competitions,” said Pavlides, “and maybe to compete with other teams.”

Pavlides is in his eighties now and has been involved in the Greek Community for sometime, and it’s very obvious, as it is encouraging, that even at that age you can still be an active participant in life.

And like all senior members of our society Pavlides has an acute appreciation of how important it is to uphold one’s culture. “We want young people to get involved so we can maintain our culture and hopefully they will join the club and become volunteers for the club,” explained Pavlides.

He went on to say that everyone is welcome to join in on the activities, “all people with a Greek background, as well as their friends can come to the club.”

So if you’re interested, don’t hesitate to call George Pavlides, and Neos Kosmos hopes he has a quick recovery and gets out of hospital soon.

Because without the likes of Pavlides and his kind, our communities would quickly fall apart, and sadly the only places for young people to hang out will be shopping malls and nightclubs.

George Pavlides: 0408 584 866. Greek Cypriot Club Parent & Youth Club: 206 Glengala Road, West Sunshine & Greek Culture Day is on Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May, 2011