The enduring bond between Australia and Cyprus – forged through migration, resilience and shared democratic values – was celebrated in a moving evening of gratitude and recognition at the Australia–Cyprus Achievement Awards and Thanksgiving Gathering, held at the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney on Thursday, February 26.
Hosted by the Cyprus Community of New South Wales, the inaugural awards brought together political leaders, diplomats, academics, clergy, community representatives and families to honour individuals and institutions whose contributions have strengthened both Australian society and Cypriot Australian civic life.
A gathering rooted in gratitude and history
Opening the evening, Master of Ceremonies Ellise Voulgarakis welcomed guests in a spirit of thanksgiving – acknowledging the opportunities Australia has provided to generations of Cypriot migrants and affirming the values of inclusiveness, respect and fairness that have enabled the community to flourish.
A formal Acknowledgement of Country paid respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, recognising the enduring custodianship of culture and land, before honouring the pioneers who established the Cyprus Community of NSW in 1929 and preserved language, faith and identity through decades of change.
Archimandrite Father Irenaeus Triantis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, conducted a small prayer service and offered greetings and congratulations by the Archbishop.
The reflective tone of the evening was further deepened through a student contribution by nine-year-old Andreas Prodromou of the Cyprus Community Greek School, who delivered a heartfelt “Note to Australia” expressing gratitude, belonging and responsibility – a moment that underscored the intergenerational spirit of the gathering.
Youth reflection on legacy and responsibility
Following the student reflection, Vasili Panayi, Honorary President of the Cyprus Community of NSW Youth Committee, delivered a thoughtful address framing the evening as both a celebration and a call to responsibility.
He described Australia and Cyprus as “two nations, two islands”, shaped by challenge, resilience and shared values, and reflected on his late grandfather’s migration from Cyprus to Australia in 1959 – arriving with little more than faith, hard work and hope, yet building a life through quiet contribution to family, community and country.
Mr Panayi highlighted the growing engagement of young Cypriot Australians across community leadership, volunteering and cultural preservation, while also excelling in professional life across Australia.
Speaking among the Cypriot and Indigenous artefacts of the Chau Chak Wing Museum, he noted the shared themes of endurance, storytelling and continuity, describing the gathering as a moment of gratitude – and a reminder of the responsibility younger generations carry in preserving and strengthening the legacy entrusted to them.
Diplomatic reflections and a call for unity
Addressing the audience next, High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, conveyed congratulations on behalf of the President of Cyprus and reflected on the long presence of Cypriots in Australia, noting their contributions not only to the economy and culture, but also to Australia’s defence during both World Wars.
He emphasised that moments of challenge within community life can become turning points for renewal, provided they are met with honesty, inclusiveness, professional governance and meaningful youth participation – principles he identified as essential for the Cyprus Community of NSW as it approaches its centenary.
Honouring lifetime contribution and humanitarian leadership
The centrepiece of the evening was the presentation of the Australia–Cyprus Achievement Awards, recognising individuals and families whose service has often been rendered quietly and without expectation of reward.
Among the major honourees was Neophytos Stavrou, recognised for a lifetime of service to commerce, culture, faith and philanthropy. Over more than seven decades, Mr Stavrou has combined professional excellence with deep commitment to cultural stewardship, philanthropy and the preservation of Byzantine music, embodying integrity, humility and civic responsibility.
The Theocharides Family was honoured for exceptional humanitarian leadership through A Touch of Kindness, one of Australia’s largest charitable support missions. Sustained entirely through voluntary effort, their work provides weekly nourishment, care and dignity to more than 800 people in need, reflecting compassion in action and moral leadership Citations all three.
Hall of Fame honour accompanied by a targeted scholarly donation
The 2026 Australia–Cyprus Achievement Hall of Fame Award was presented to Professor Emeritus Richard Green, recognising his outstanding contribution to classical and Cypriot archaeology and his pivotal role in advancing Australia–Cyprus scholarly relations.
Over a distinguished career spanning more than sixty years, Professor Green led landmark archaeological excavations, shaped international scholarship and educated generations of students at the University of Sydney. His research into Cyprus — a historic centre of Hellenistic civilisation — has significantly deepened global understanding of the island’s cultural heritage while strengthening enduring academic and cultural ties between Australia and Cyprus.
Unable to attend the ceremony in person, the award was accepted on his behalf by Craig Barker, Director of the Chau Chak Wing Museum and Director of the University of Sydney’s archaeological excavations in Cyprus.
In accepting the honour, Dr Barker conveyed Professor Green’s gratitude and confirmed that the charitable component of the Hall of Fame Award — made in the recipient’s name — will be directed to support the University of Sydney’s Cyprus archaeology program, including ongoing research, student training and excavation work in Paphos.
The decision reflects Professor Green’s lifelong commitment to academic mentorship and to ensuring that future generations of Australian scholars continue to engage directly with Cypriot history and heritage.
Dr Barker noted that Professor Green has long viewed archaeology not only as research, but as a bridge between nations — one that brings students, institutions and communities into sustained dialogue. The donation, he said, transforms recognition into practical investment, reinforcing the scholarly partnership between Australia and Cyprus that Professor Green has spent decades building.
Investing in youth and cultural continuity
A defining feature of the evening was the strong emphasis on youth, reflecting the Cyprus Community of NSW’s commitment to structured leadership development and cultural continuity.
The Young Australian–Cyprus Achievement Awards, supported through the Community’s Bequest Programme, recognised students from the Dance School and Greek School for excellence in education, cultural participation and civic responsibility.
Recipients included:
- Mikey Ganis, Valani Kalavitis and George Keremea for educational excellence and cultural engagement in dance;
- Kyriacos Kyriakides and George Gregory for community service and civic responsibility;
- Leo Papadopoulos, Andreas Prodromou and Nicholas Kanellakis for excellence in Greek language learning, cultural identity and multicultural service Citations all three.
The awards honoured the legacy of Chrysanthi Peters Kyriacou and Jack Passaris OAM, whose lifelong service continues to inspire new generations through dedicated educational bequests.
Youth Achievement Award recognises emerging leadership
The Australia–Cyprus Achievement Award (Youth) was presented to Jacquelene Tsovolos, recognised for her exceptional commitment to civic responsibility, professional excellence and community leadership.
Professionally, Ms Tsovolos has excelled in Australia’s financial sector, while her community service includes her role as Vice President of the Cyprus Community of NSW Youth Group and Executive Member of NEPOMAK Australia & New Zealand. Her work has focused on strengthening youth engagement, safeguarding cultural continuity and encouraging civic participation among young Cypriot Australians.
In accepting the award, Ms Tsovolos reflected on the sacrifices of previous generations, acknowledging that today’s opportunities rest on the resilience, labour and vision of parents and grandparents who migrated in search of a better future — a legacy, she said, that carries with it responsibility as well as pride.
A shared future
Delivering the commemorative address, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Matt Thistlethwaite MP, spoke of the thousands of Cypriots who arrived in Australia after the Second World War with little more than a suitcase and hope.
He praised their courage, resilience and contribution, noting that the strength of Australia–Cyprus relations lies in the successful transmission of culture, language and values to future generations.
The evening concluded with a powerful affirmation from the Cyprus Community of NSW’s emerging leadership programme:
“We honour the past.
We serve the present.
And together — we build the future.”
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos
