The Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs of Melbourne & Victoria held its annual Christmas event on Saturday with great success at the Stars International Hall in Preston.
After one of the toughest years in modern history and the world’s longest lockdown the elderly of the Greek Australian community of Victoria answered the Federation’s call and came together to dance, feast and celebrate with old and new friends putting the hard times behind.
The event was attended by several state and Church officials, including representatives of multicultural organisations the likes of Bishop Evmenios, Federal MP Mr Will Fowles, representative of the opposition Mr Peter Khalil, Eastern Metropolitan MP Mr Bruce Atkinson, state MP of Northcote Kat Theophanous, Darebin, Cr Emily Dimitriadis, the Multicultural Commisioner of Victoria Ms Vivianne Nguen, President of the Greek Australian Community of Melbourne and Victoria Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria Theo Theophanous, President of Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand Tony Tsourdalakis, the President of the Pan Macedonian Association Paul Mavroudis, PRONIA President Kris Pavlidis, Fronditha President Jill Nikitakis and Fonditha Care’s CEO Faye Spiteri as well as Soteris Matis (Mavrommatis), Bank Manager at Bank Of Sydney.
The event was once again coordinated with success by well known journalist Rena Fragiadaki while Father Evmenios, Bishop elect of Kerasounda did an eulogy ahead of the inaugural speech by the Federation’s President, Mr Giannis Kostoulias.
A message from Archbishop Makarios was read extending wishes for a happy 2022 before the rest of the officials took to the stage. Before the live music kicked off, Bank of Sydney President Mr Matis offered a 1,000 check to Mr Kostoulas to further support the Federations endeavours.