It was a festive and celebratory atmosphere at The Kyle Bay on Sunday, August 11, as AHEPA Australia celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Distinguished guests included the Very Reverend Archimandrite Fr Irenaeus Triantis; Deputy High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikolaos Varellas; First Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate of Greece in Sydney, Athanassios Lambrou; Federal Member for Kingsford Smith The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite MP; State Member of Oatley The Hon. Mark Coure MP; Deputy Mayor of Randwick City Council, Councillor Alexandra Luxford; Bayside City Council, Councillor Andrew Tsounis; National (Supreme) AHEPA Australia President, Sophia Notaras; Grand President of NSW, Theo Skhinas; District Lodge President of NSW, Maria Alexandrou; and Helen Zerefos OAM.
Ms Zerefos surprised guests with the singing of the Australian and Greek National Anthems, as well as the AHEPA Hymn.
Emcee Dimitrios Kametopoulos later introduced a number of speakers. Speeches were given by Mr Skhinas, Ms Notaras, Fr Irenaeus, Mr Varellas, Mr Lambrou, Mr Thistlethwaite, Mr Coure, and Ms Alexandrou.
A video message by The Honorable Chris Minns, Premier of NSW was also shown.
Certificates of Appreciation were later given to:
Daughters of Penelope
- 70 years service – Matina Mottee – Chapter Arete No. 3.
- 60 years service – Christine Karayiannides – Chapter Arete No. 3, and Despina Vanos – Chapter Arete No. 3.
- 50 years service – Ann Bouris – Chapter Arete 3, Dorothea Spiropoulos – Chapter Arete No. 3, Penny Cretan – Chapter Arete 3, Christine Lynch – Chapter Arete 3, Matina Comino – Chapter Arete No. 3, and Louisa Melas – Chapter Arete No. 3.
Grand Lodge Members
- 60 years service – Leon Bizannes – Chapters Prometheus No.6 & Heracles No.12, Emanuel J. Comino – Chapter Diogenes, and Con Vlachos – Chapter Prometheus No. 6.
- 50 years service – Nick Hoursalas – Chapter Heracles No. 12.
