Marilyn Tsolakis has been named as the 2023 Kastellorizian of the Year, the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria announced this week.
The announcement about the annual award recipient comes ahead of the Kastellorizian of the Year Gala hosted by the association and scheduled to be held on Saturday 14 October.
“Please mark the date in your diaries so that you can join the KAV to celebrate Marilyn’s outstanding commitment to Australia’s Kazzie community and to the Friends of Kastellorizo organisation,” the announcement reads.
Ms Tsolakis has served in various community engagement roles, including as Vice President of the Castellorizian Association of Western Australia in 2012, and as Coordinator of Friends of Kastellorizo (FoK) since 2008.
During her tenure in FoK she has been helping the non-profit organisation advance their mission of giving back to the island.
Initiatives she has implemented include an Intercultural Student Exchange Program between Australia and Kastellorizo for twelve years and managing a Youth action Festival on the island for two years titled ‘Katharo Kastellorizo – ‘Keep Kastellorizo Beautiful’.
Born in Perth to Kazzie immigrants, late Michael and Lola (nee Simeon) Tsolakis, Marilyn Tsolakis graduated from the University of WA with a BA and Diploma of Education, majoring in English, and went on to excel in her chosen field of English education, becoming Head of English at Methodist Ladies College, Perth from 1995-2008.
She also served on the English Syllabus Committee for the State of Western Australia.
“Marilyn is known particularly for her storytelling, writing and speaking, through which she helps to tell the stories of Kastellorizians to Kazzies and Australians of all ages,” the Kazzie announcement on the recognition explains.
Among others, Ms Tsolakis has co-written a bilingual illustrated children’s book titled ‘Kastellorizo: My Odyssey’ about the life and history of Kastellorizo, and regularly writes for publications servicing the Kastellorizian-Australian community.
Her work has also been referenced by academic publications relating to the Kastellorizian and Greek diaspora.
“Marilyn’s many initiatives show her love for the island and her dedication to preserving Kastellorizian culture and history, while supporting Kazzie youth welfare as well as our Kazzie elders.
Her strong values, charity and compassion for others makes her an inspirational role model for all. We congratulate her on her award and her many life achievements,” the Kastellorizian Association of Victoria concludes.
