The Board of Directors of the Greek Cypriot Community Apostolos Andreas in Melbourne’s, West Sunshine will honour and celebrate its 70th anniversary on Saturday May 24 which will be headlined by a performance from glass dancer Aristotle Valaoritis. The traditional glass dance from Cyprus involves the dancer balancing as many glasses as possible on their head.
The event will be at Melrose Events, Tullamarine, and responses from the members of the community “have exceeded expectations” according to Apostolos Andreas’s president, Helen Christodoulou.
The vision of the founders in 1955, and its many successors since over the years, has led to the establishment of the church of Apostolos Andreas (patron saint of Cyprus), the creation of a Greek school, a Dance Club, Leogragraphics Group, and an Elderly Group.
Information from the book The Cyprus Greek Community Apostolos Andreas West Sunshine published 2015 and edited by Georgia Georgiou Gianni, identifies it as one of the oldest Communities in Australia.
“Settlement in the area is estimated to have begun timidly around 1850. The largest wave of immigration from Cyprus arrived in the southern country in the mid-1900s.
“In the majority, most immigrants settled in Sunshine because of their relatives, at that time two and three families lived in the same house, but also because of the industry, which was developing rapidly in the area, and, in fact, absorbed many workers.”
Given the only Greek Orthodox church at the time was the Holy Church of “The Annunciation of Our Lady” in East Melbourne, for Sunday church services, celebration of sacraments, it was necessary to transport the members of the West Sunshine Cypriot Community.
The first plot of land for the construction of a church was donated by the late Andreas Efthymiou Kaklamanos. Due to its unsuitability, it was put up for auction.
“With the money collected and donations, the current plot was purchased in 1957, on which a military barracks was erected. Yes, exactly as I tell you.
“There, in the barracks, Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, funerals, etc. were held. Then, with a lot of volunteer work, they built the church and other properties were purchased,” Christodoulou says.
Cyprus Village
After the right-wing coup in Cyprus, and the Turkish invasion in 1974 that followed, the Australian government allowed the immigration of Cypriots. As a result, the number increased significantly.
The Board of Directors in 1995 purchased three acres of land on Forrest Street in Ardeer on which the Cypriot Village was built “with much effort and sacrifice” says Christodoulou.
The building services the multiple needs of the members — it has studios for dances, receptions, concerts and the operation of a Greek school teaching our language and culture.
“Our future plans include the creation of a library and a museum, where samples of our cultural heritage, brought by our members from our island, will be exhibited.
“Our goal is for the Centre to be functional for the social and recreational needs of the Community and its members,” the president says.
Christodoulou went on to thank the boards that worked and brought the Community to where it is today.
“I am convinced that the Greek Cypriot consciousness was cultivated through the family, the church, the Greek school, and our local organisations.
” It is therefore worth remaining socially aware and preserving our rich cultural heritage, creating a solid bridge with our special homeland, Cyprus.”
319 glasses perched on the head
Saturday will see guests have the opportunity to enjoy one of the most famous glass dancers in Cyprus, Aristotle (Teli) Valaoritis.
Valaoritis, from Paphos, who dances traditional Cypriot dances with glasses on his head.
Valaoritis has been involved in the glass dance for 30 years. He is the first to include the glass dance in the Guinness Book of Records and in 2023, when he broke the record with 319 glasses. The record was later broken by Dinos Kkanti with 419 glasses.
Glass dancing requires technique, talent, courage and luck because all the lights are on him. However, the acclaimed artist also dances with various objects on his head, such as chairs, hairpins, a bicycle, while his goal is to be different and spectacular to those who see him.
The ball will be attended by the High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis and Nikos Varellas, presidents and representatives of the Federation of the Cypriot Communities in Australia and New Zealand, the Executive of S.E.K.A. and other officials.
The artistic program will be accompanied by the “Aetos” orchestra of Sotiris Stylianos and a dance group from the Manassi School;
Christodoulou says “there are only a few tickets available and anyone interested in attending should call Eleni Koliou at: 0421 488 400”.
Seventy years on, the Greek Cypriot Community Apostolos Andreas stands not only as a tribute to the dreams of its pioneers, but as a living, dancing symbol of resilience, culture, and unity in Australia’s multicultural heart.
