As the Cypriot community mourns the loss of Panayiotis (Peter) Yiannoudes, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, has issued a eulogy in honour of his memory.
Full eulogy in English:
Dear family of the late Panayiotis Yiannoudes, dear fellow compatriots,
With deep sorrow but also pride, we bid farewell to yet another great Greek from Cyprus and Australia. An tireless servant of our community, who served with dedication and consistency across all fronts: the Melbourne Community, the Federation, SEKA, and AHEPA. A spiritual person who never stopped writing until his last moments, always deeply concerned about our homeland and its people.
One of the most significant moments in his efforts for Cyprus was his mobilisation, alongside many other expatriates, during the difficult times that our martyred homeland endured in July 1974. His decision to travel to Cyprus to support the refugees and later meet Archbishop Makarios in London, assuring him that the diaspora stood by his side, has been recorded in history. Upon his return to Australia, he intensified his efforts with the authorities of his second homeland, advocating for the support of Cyprus and its struggle. Today, we can say with certainty that these efforts found a receptive ear, as Australia has consistently supported Cyprus, becoming the second homeland for thousands of Cypriot refugees.
However, Panayiotis Yiannoudes’ contribution to the cultural sphere was also immense, being one of the pioneers in promoting Greek cinema on the fifth continent. Much has been written about the significance of screening Greek films in difficult times. The benefit to our communities was undoubtedly manifold: from preserving our ancestral memory and spreading our language and music, to providing an opportunity for gatherings and fundraising for the construction of churches and community buildings. The art of cinema, as a continuation of the great art of theatre, does not merely entertain but (re)educates Greeks through the ages. Panayiotis Yiannoudes made an exceptional contribution to this very special chapter in our history.
As we bow respectfully before yet another esteemed compatriot who spent decades at the forefront of the struggle for our people’s rights, for the progress of our fellow countrymen, and for the common good, we reflect on the weight of responsibility borne by those who have taken the baton in recent years. A heavy responsibility to continue the struggle for the justice of Cyprus and to contribute to the diaspora’s efforts with vision, selflessness, and a spirit of unity. This will be the best tribute to Panayiotis Yiannoudes, who, from above, will see that his efforts and sacrifices were not in vain but have yielded, and will continue to yield, fruits for many more years to come.
Eternal be his memory.
Antonis Sammoutis
High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia
13 November 2024
 Yiannoudes, Antonis Sammoutis eulogised the beloved figure.){kind=link}