The Kastellorizian Association of Western Australia celebrated its centenary last month. The organisation, which formed in 1912, now holds the position of the oldest ethnic organisation in Australian.
Representatives from all states and territories were present at the week-long commemoration of the anniversary, which began with a church service in Perth’s St. Constantine and Helene’s Church. Greek community representatives also hosted a series of talks and in the days that followed. Dr John Yiannakis Marilyn Tsolakis and Allan Cresswell from Perth, were joined by Dr Nick Pappas and John Mangos from Sydney in presentations that covered the history of Kastellorizo in the 1800s as well as the history of Greeks in Western Australia.
A gala dinner held at the Burswood Casino was the highlight of the week’s celebrations, with the event space decorated to resemble the famous Blue Grotto of Kastellorizo. Over 500 guests were in attendance, who all participated in several energetic rounds of sousta and traditional Kastellorizo songs .
The lively celebrations were fitting of an organisation which has connected Greeks in Australia and overseas for generations and has no plans to stop doing so.