In a venue once known for screening R-rated films, a new chapter of cultural pride and political purpose was written on Friday, May 23 at the Cyprus Club’s cocktail reception, launching the 50th Annual Conference of the Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia and New Zealand.
The evening was marked by two major highlights: the official invitation extended to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit Cyprus, and the presentation of a Medal of Honour to EOKA veteran Andreas Neroupos.
Hosted by Michael Christodoulou AM, President of the Federation, and Theo Theophanous, President of the Cypriot Community of Melbourne and Victoria, the event welcomed a multigenerational delegation of Cypriots and Greeks from across Australia and New Zealand. It marked the beginning of a weekend focused on cultural preservation, political advocacy and youth engagement.
Mr Christodoulou, who arrived late due to a personal loss, addressed the crowd with heartfelt candour.
“I couldn’t miss this. I really admire politicians when they speak my language – when they understand that Cyprus is not a political issue, but a human one. It’s about invasion, occupation and the pain of being thrown out of your home with nothing but the clothes you are wearing,” Mr Christodoulou said.
He confirmed that Australia’s Prime Minister has been officially invited to visit Cyprus by Cyprus’ President Nikos Christodoulides.
“Like him or not, Anthony Albanese has been one of the biggest supporters of the Cyprus issue we’ve ever had,” Mr Christodoulou said. “If you look at Hansard, you’ll see he’s spoken more about Cyprus than any other politician in the last 52 years.”
He told The Greek Herald that while a date has not been set, the visit is “promising” and that “movement on the Cyprus issue” is expected in the coming months.
Anthony Cianflone, State Member for Pascoe Vale, representing Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan, spoke of his personal ties to Cyprus through his wife, Anna-Maria, and his visits to the island in 2012 and 2015.
“There’s tremendous opportunity for us as Australia to continue building on the Cypriot relationship,” he said, highlighting shared interests in trade, democracy and regional stability.
Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Evan Mulholland MP, representing the Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin, spoke of his Calabrian heritage and reflected on the contributions of post-war migrant communities, like the Hellenic community, in building modern multicultural Australia.
Honouring Andreas Neroupos, veteran of the EOKA resistance against British colonial rule, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, presented him with a Medal of Honour. Father Kyprianou outlined the background of the former war hero, arrested in 1955 for carrying grenades, for which he was defended in court by future Cypriot presidents Glafcos Clerides and Tassos Papadopoulos.
Mr Sammoutis praised the diaspora’s enduring commitment to justice for Cyprus, saying he felt the “love” of Cypriot, Greek, and Australian communities.
Emcee Stephanie Demetrios also shared a message from Theodora Constantinidou, Ambassador and Director of the Service for Overseas and Repatriated Cypriots at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus.
The conference, described by Mr Theophanous as “three conferences in one”, brings together the Federation, the Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Committee (PASEKA), and the Cypriot Youth Organisations of Australia and New Zealand (NEPOMAK), the youth arm of the diaspora. He warned against the demographic changes caused by Turkish settlers to the occupied north.
“It is 50 years of occupation where the Turkish-Cypriot culture has been eroded,” he said.
Mr Christodoulou echoed this sentiment.
“If I had a magic wand, I’d make sure every person who lost their property should be allowed to go back home to their properties and they should have their properties. We should stop this rubbish that they don’t deserve to be there since Turkey invaded,” he said.
“We are hoping that the Australian government will continue efforts to ensure the reunification of Cyprus. But don’t get me wrong, we are not talking about Turkish Cypriots but settlers.”
Mr Christodoulou pointed to the three pillars for Cyprus to survive as a community: preserving culture, religion and language.
Greek Community of Melbourne President Bill Papastergiadis praised the event’s spirit of unity. “We can’t say enough nor commend you enough for this form of collaboration and connection.”
This joint approach brought together members of community groups, including Chris Koulinos, President of PASEKA; and Andrea Nicola, President of NEPOMAK.
*All photos copyright Mary Sinanidis / The Greek Herald.
