Thanos Vavitsas, a well-known member of the Greek Community, passed away aged 84.
The Thessaloniki-born lawyer with parents from Grevena, graduated with Honors from Law following in his father’s footsteps to become an Attorney at Law.
Also drawn by journalism, he worked as editor of Thessaloniki’s newspaper Makedonia in which he covered the trial of left-wing politician and Greek Parliament member Grigoris Lambrakis.
His passion for social justice continued in Australia, where he was actively involved in the struggle for the independence of Greek Community organisations and was an ardent supporter of Κοινοτικός Θεσμός (free, independent and democratic community organisations). A prolific writer for many years, he wrote a regular column in the newspaper Νεα Ελλαδα, the main subject of which was the recognition of Civil Marriage/Unions, and he contributed articles to Neos Kosmos regularly along with articles in the magazine SKEPSIS, published by the late Costas Alexiadis. His radio programme Chronograph for 3CR was another highlight which was often discussed, enjoyed and praised. It had a large following in the Greek Community.
He stood by and with all free, independent and democratic Greek community organisations, scolding the interventionist policy of Greek governments on the side of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia to subjugate those community organisations and convert them into Parishes.
A representative of the Centre for Foreign Law of Greece, he provided ideological and legal advice on the fair and just struggle of the free, independent and democratic Greek community organisations and his contribution was free of charge. He also gave directions and guidance based on his knowledge and legal justice. He was an intellectual with an incredible acumen of spirit, a result of his education and the breadth of his knowledge. He was a restless spirit, he did not fit into any moulds and he regularly criticised and spoke out about any and all injustice in our community. He had a disarming kindness and nobility and those who were lucky enough to have met him, appreciate that with his passing we have lost a good-natured man, a loyal friend and a fellow traveller. His masterful recitation of the Yiannis Ritsos poem “Graganda” at events commemorating the uprising at the Polytechnic in Athens in 1973, will remain indelible in the memory of his peers and cohort. He is survived by his Anna, her daughters and all his relatives and friends. Babis Prodromidis, Stratos Mavrantonis, Takis Sarelas, Vangelis Bogias, Panagiotis Pyros, Panagiotis, Aleiferis Antonis Paschos among many others.
His funeral will be held on Wednesday 10 November at 2pm at East Kew Chapel at 741 High Street, East Kew.
