The Siannites of Rhodes Association recently hosted their annual vasilopita cutting event at the hall of the Greek Community in Dandenong, Melbourne. The highlight of the gathering was the participation of 102-year-old Katholiki Zafeiri, who was honoured with the ceremonial cutting of the vasilopita, symbolising blessings for the New Year.
The event, which brought together members and friends of the association, was a joyful celebration filled with warm wishes, delicious treats, and fond memories. Association president Nina Koufomanoli welcomed attendees, wishing them love, happiness, and prosperity for the year ahead.
Zafeiri, at 102, and George Karatzias, at 91, became symbols the vibrant legacy of the community’s elders as they performed the vasilopita cutting.
A migrant story rooted in Sianna, Rhodes
The Siannites’ journey to Dandenong began in the 1920s, as narrated by historian Panagiotis Fotakis. Sianna, a village located 74 kilometers north of Rhodes, saw many of its residents emigrate in search of a better future. By the mid-1950s, a significant portion of the village’s population had settled in Dandenong, creating a “Little Greece” in Melbourne’s suburbs.
The late Stamatis Diakogeorgiou, a prominent Siannite entrepreneur, played a crucial role in helping new arrivals integrate into Australian society. He established the first Greek café in Dandenong and provided employment to many migrants, paving the way for their economic stability.
Building a legacy of community
In 1956, the Siannites founded the Philanthropic Association of Siannites of Rhodes to assist fellow villagers immigrating to Melbourne. By 1959, they had established the Greek Orthodox Community of Dandenong and Districts “Saint Panteleimon.” With support from Diakogeorgiou, the community built the first Greek Orthodox church in the area, named after their village’s patron saint.
The association continues to preserve Siannite traditions and foster unity among its members. Despite being thousands of kilometers away from their homeland, the Siannites have built a strong, supportive community.
A Greek village in Melbourne
Today, the Siannites remain concentrated in Dandenong, with smaller numbers in Adelaide. Many, like longtime resident Panagioula Mania, consider themselves fortunate to have grown up in a close-knit Greek community abroad.
“In Melbourne, we never felt lonely or isolated because we brought our village here and became one big family,” Mania shared, highlighting the enduring bond of the Siannites in their adopted home.
