Tucked away in a leafy cul de sac on Ferrars Place in the once traditionally Greek stronghold of South Melbourne, the Hellenic RSL stands as a mantuary for male bonding.
Before lockdown, Greek ex-servicemen from far and wide would come here, to Memorial Hall, to commemorate the anniversaries of great battles in Greece and Australia’s histories: 25 March, the Battle of Crete, Anzac Day and ‘Ohi’ Day on the 28th October. But beyond the recognition of significant events in history as well as a number of social events and book launches, the Hellenic RSL is also meeting place for the men who frequent it every Wednesday and Saturday.
Kon Katsambanis, 94, has got through lockdown with the hope that the time will come when he can again make the trip from North Balwyn to the Hellenic RSL independently, using public transport, which he proudly does without the use of a cane and with plenty of grit and determination.
“I miss my ‘colleagues’,” he told Neos Kosmos, referring to his mates at the club.
“We talk on the phone and all feel the same exasperation knowing we can’t meet in person.”
When the proedro (President), Manolis Karvelas, calls “θα κάνω φτερά να παω” (I’ll fly), he laughed.
A member of the club since he was 45, Mr Katsambanis even served as president at some point and has seen the club mature.
Themis Sitzoukis, a retired Fish ‘n’ Chip shop owner originally from Katerini, told Neos Kosmos that, over his twenty years of membership, he has met people at the Hellenic RSL who have served Greece at different periods, and since his retirement this sharing of stories has been a worthwhile way to pass the time.
“I live in South Melbourne near the Hellenic RSL so I have seen a member or two, but have only spoken on the phone with many others,” he said. “It has been like jail.”
Sharing stories from their conscription service is therapeutic for the men. “They were hard times but sometimes beautiful,” Epirus-born Dimitris Varnas from Malvern told Neos Kosmos. “I think all men should serve. You become a man after service. There are no mothers to wash or cook. You learn to live away from your family and do what you need to do.”
The men go there to enjoy some banter, to remember serving their country, to talk about politics, travel, their lives and then share a game of cards. It may sound a little like being at a kafeneion, but between games of Xanthi and rounds of backgammon, the old soldiers lay plans to save the Greek language in Australia, to make youth more aware of the power of history, and to philosophise on the lessons of politics and wars.
Con Damaras, head of St Catherine’s Greek School at Malvern, points to visits to visited schools like St John’s College to make young Greek Australians more aware of their roots. He refers to the Hellenic RSL’s annual children’s competition where youngsters are encouraged to research Greek history, casting a spotlight on important parts of their heritage which are not taught as part of the Australian curriculum.
“It is important to have a Hellenic RSL, to remember Genocides, to have events at the Greek memorial and the opportunity to go to the club for a light meal and satisfying discussion,” Mr Damaras told Neos Kosmos.
A member since 1983, Mr Dimaras came to the RSL from his involvement with SEKA, seeking Justice for Cyprus. “I was with the late Costas Prokopiou, Jim Varnas, Alexopoulos and Dennis Patisteas OAM said, ‘Hey guys, you all served. Why aren’t you all members of the Hellenic RSL?’ and that’s how we joined,” Mr Dimaras said, though everyone has their own story regarding what lead to them becoming members of the Hellenic RSL.
Mr Patisteas, an Athens-born member with heritage from Mani, has been active with the Hellenic RSL for 26 years.
“I served my country before coming to Australia and wanted to join when I learnt that the group existed,” he said, adding that he has made lifelong friendships and forged bonds via the Hellenic RSL’s activities which include building connections with other RSL groups, such as the one in Canberra.
He says the men at the Hellenic RSL share a culture of helping others and offering their services. “I’ve been through a lot of things and I always tried to do all I could to help others,” he said.
Being with these other men, these “old warriors”, further inspires him but he is worried about what the RSL will look like when the men return. “COVID crushed us. One or two died, and some are far away and we don’t know if they’ll be able to travel once we do open. I worry about whether we will lose them,” he said.
Despite being an old soldier, it doesn’t get easier losing friends, Mr Patisteas said.
Initially started by a group of men who created the organisation known as Ellinikos Organismos Paleon Polemiston kai Efedron during World War II. From here, some approached the Victorian RSL to establish a Greek RSL in 1977. In 1978, the Greek RSL was renamed Hellenic RSL. Members currently number 160, with the youngest having served with Australian army, as any soldier of Greek heritage is welcome at the Hellenic RSL.