The order of AHEPA NSW observed a dual celebration on 28 October, when alongside their OXI day festivities, the group officially took possession of Bexley Bowling Club, with the club set to become the organisation’s new home.
President Bill Skandalakis was presented a set of cast iron keys by MC and Secretary Dr Panayiotis Diamadis, symbolising AHEPA NSW’s assuming responsibility for the site in Bexley North in Sydney’s southern suburbs.
In turn Mr. Skandalakis presented the keys to AHEPA NSW’s past president John Kallimanis and Property Committee Chairman, Harry Fandakis; two driving forces in the association’s acquisition of the Bexley Bowling Club.
Both Mr. Skandalakis and Mr. Kallimanis spoke about the Club as the new home of AHEPA NSW Inc, as the centre of its activities and as the focal point of its 90th anniversary celebrations in 2024.
“It has been a long time coming, with a number of difficulties” said Mr Skandalakis.
“Today, as we honour the heroes of 1940, we inform our members and friends that while much work remains to be done, we are on track for a bright future for our children and for the broader Australian Hellenic community.”
Speaking in Greek, Mr Kallimanis, during whose presidency the project commenced, stated:
“We thank all those who believe in and support this project, this dream of a new home for AHEPA NSW Inc. The parliamentarians, the councillors, and especially our members. Today, on the national day of Hellenism, our organisation has turned a page, in its 88th year, opening the next chapter of its history.”
As part of the OXI day celebrations, “the Ode” was recited in both English and Greek by Mrs Margaret McInroy, New Zealand representative on the Joint Committee for the Commemoration of the Battle of Crete and The Greek Campaign and Mr Peter Tsigounis, President, RSL NSW Greek Sub-Branch respectively.
Alongside, poems marking the occasion were recited by students of the Afternoon Schools of the Parish of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour, Earlwood Dimitri Dasakis (Year 2), Danny Petratos (Year 6) and Emanuel Kouzoukas (Year 6).
Artist Angela Konstantinopoulou presented her latest work at the celebrations. Titled “Convergence of Glory” it features depictions of the battles of Thermopylae (480BC), Alamana (April 1821) and the battle of Greece (April 1941).
Pivotal moments not only in Greek history, but which would culminate in the close relationship now ubiquitous between Greeks and Australia in light of the Anzac’s sacrifices in the fight for Greece’s future all those years ago.
The tribute to the Anzacs of Greece included archival footage of their arrival in Athens in March 1941, as well as part of an interview with the last living, of those Anzacs, who fought alongside Greece in those troubled times, Arthur Leggett of Perth.
The event concluded with a performance of traditional dance by the Rallis School of Greek Dance, who presented a Kalamatiano, a Zagorisio and a Kophto, three dances from the Peloponessos and Epiros regions of mainland Greece.
