The Cyprus Community of New South Wales mourns the passing of former President of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou, and commemorates his life, achievements, and enduring legacy.
Mr Vassiliou maintained strong and enduring links with Australia and the Cypriot diaspora. During visits to Australia in the early 1990s, he encouraged deeper engagement between Cyprus and Australian Cypriot communities. He was also a strong advocate for academic, archaeological, and research collaboration, leading to initiatives involving the University of Sydney, particularly Cyprus-based excavations.
His contribution extended well beyond Cyprus and Europe, influencing regional cooperation in the Middle East and strengthening international relationships, including through engagement with Australian political leaders such as former Prime Minister Bob Hawke
Kyriakos Panayi, Honorary Secretary of the Cyprus Community of NSW, said: “Together with Australia’s Bob Hawke, Mr Vassiliou prosecuted the cause of Cyprus eloquently throughout the world, leading to the passage of significant resolutions in a number of international forums which remain benchmarks in support of Cyprus.”
Cyprus Community of NSW Honorary President Michael Peters Kyriacou said Mr Vassiliou’s legacy continues to resonate strongly with the Community and with policymakers today.
“George Vassiliou stands as one of the great reformers of Cyprus and of Europe,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Kyriacou noted that Mr Vassiliou’s friendship with Mr Hawke was well known. Mr Hawke was a long-standing supporter of the Cyprus Community of NSW, having officially opened the Stanmore building and served as its patron.
“The friendship between these two leaders was genuine and enduring,” Mr Kyriacou said.
“Many see our Community here in New South Wales as facing challenges like those Cyprus faced in the late 1980s — the need for renewal, reform, inclusion, and refocusing. These are precisely the challenges Mr Vassiliou confronted and overcame, leaving Cyprus stronger and more confident within Europe and the international community.”
Mr Kyriacou also recalled that during Mr Vassiliou’s visits to Australia, he placed particular emphasis on engaging younger members of the Community.
“At the time of Mr Vassiliou’s visits to Australia, he held discussions with younger members of the Cyprus Community, urging them to become involved, to help preserve our identity and culture, and to contribute not only to our Community but to Australia — a point he made on a number of occasions during his visits,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Kyriacou said Mr Vassiliou was especially keen to see academic, student, and research exchanges between Australia and Cyprus, including structured youth exchange initiatives.
“All the ideas he spoke about during gatherings held in Sydney more than three decades ago were good ideas then — and even better ideas now,” Mr Kyriacou said.
“That is why the Community has been pursuing internal reform to align itself with what Mr Vassiliou stood for: a forward-looking, dynamic, relevant, and inclusive organisation where young people are engaged and provided with opportunities to enrich their community.”
Mr Kyriacou also recalled a meeting with Mr Vassiliou in 1995, when they discussed the commencement of archaeological excavations at Kato Paphos by the University of Sydney.
“His response was that this should be the first of an enduring relationship — one that would enrich both nations, and particularly our Community in NSW,” Mr Kyriacou said.
Mr Panayi noted that Mr Vassiliou often said that change is difficult but necessary, and that the results are worth the effort.
“We see the fruits of his reforms today,” Mr Panayi said.
“Despite the financial crisis of the last decade, Cyprus has rebounded — a different country now, and a strong performer within the European Union.”
Nick Angelos, long-standing member and former President of the Community, Justice for Cyprus (SEKA) and Pan-Australian Justice for Cyprus Coordinating Committee (PASEKA), said Mr Vassiliou’s achievements were significant both for Cyprus and for the Cyprus issue.
“His reforms propelled Cyprus into a developed economy and a regional hub,” Mr Angelos said.
“His achievements and relationships with the Australian Government are well known. He was able to garner consistent and firm support for the Cyprus issue. With Mr Vassiliou, you knew his advocacy was targeted, effective, and impactful.”
Scholarship and Condolences
The Cyprus Community of NSW has contacted the Vassiliou family to express condolences and to advise of its proposal to establish a scholarship in Mr Vassiliou’s honour, aligned with the areas in which he specialised and showed lifelong commitment, subject to the family’s consent.
“We appreciate this is a difficult time for the Vassiliou family,” Mr Kyriacou said. “Details regarding the scope and terms of the scholarship will be finalised shortly.”
An online condolences book has been posted, and a physical condolences book will be available for members of the community and the public to sign at the foyer of the Cyprus Community Club, 26 Quigg Street South, Lakemba NSW 219.
To sign the online condolences book: thecyprusclub.org.au/condolence-book-george-vassiliou
