“This is a story about people not just a building. Buildings are made of bricks and mortar, but to put each of those bricks in place takes time and human effort.
“Tonight we tell a story not only about the building that has been built, but more importantly, the people that, in a metaphorical sense, put each brick in place.”
That was Bill Papastergiadis, president of the Greek Community of Melbourne’s first words as he unveiled to the community the foundations of The Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture. Still under construction, level one of the Greek Centre – which will host theatre and music performances in the future – was transformed into a function space for the evening, giving attendees a sneak peek at the Greek Centre and the expansive wrap around terrace with views over Russell and Lonsdale Street.
More than 150 people attended the Foundation Benefactors event on Tuesday night, ahead of the official launch of the Greek Centre for Contemporary Culture at 168 Lonsdale Street scheduled for later this year. So far, almost $850,000 has been pledged with the promise of further support to come.
Yet, Mr Papastergiadis tells Neos Kosmos the money is secondary to the “engagement and broadening the basis of the Greek Community of Melbourne”.
“The money is really secondary to us because if we can win over their interest and affection then the rest follows,” he says.
On the night, he says he feels that people really connected with the community which is what the GCM were looking towards and says “our job now is to continue that connection and to develop it which is what we are really excited about”.
All funds raised will go initially to the fit out of the centre itself and ensure that the centre is as debt free as possible for future generations of Greek Australians, philhellenes and the wider Melbourne and Australian community.