Evripidis Mouxouris celebrates 101st birthday in style at The Cyprus Club

·

Evripidis Mouxouris celebrated his 101st birthday in style on Friday night at the kafenio in the basement of The Cyprus Club at Stanmore.

The surprise birthday party was organised by the Cyprus Community of NSW and was attended by over 20 of Mouxouris’ friends and family.

On the day, Mouxouris was presented with a plaque by the President of the Community, Andrew Costa

Attendees later enjoyed light refreshments and the 101-year-old danced to live bouzouki music supplied by Tassos Lambrou.

Who is Mouxouris?

Evripidis Mouxouris was born in Morphou, Cyprus on July 5, 1921, to a farming family. At the time, Cyprus was a British colony and even before Mouxouris left primary school, he was swept up in the anti-British protests of the time.

Mouxouris joined the Worker’s Party of Cyprus (AKEL) in 1940 and remains a member today. He volunteered to fight in WWI and went to the Italian front at his own request. He saw fighting in Africa, as well as in Europe.

After the war, Mouxouris continued to struggle for an independent Cyprus and an end to British colonial rule while he worked on his trade as a tailor and organised union activity and campaigns for worker’s rights. In 1952, he moved to Nicosia and opened a tailor shop.

Mouxouris married Panayiota in 1965 – five years after Cyprus achieved independence from Britain in 1960. Their daughter, Eva, was born in 1966. Their son, Mario, was born in Morphou in 1974, on the day the town was occupied by the Turkish army.

In 1974, as a result of the Turkish occupation of Cyprus, Mouxouris and his family became refugees in their own country and migrated to Australia.

The family were taken in by a Turkish Cypriot family in Sydney, who helped them to get on their feet in their first few months in Australia.

Since resettling in Sydney, Mouxouris has been an ever-present figure at the Cyprus Community Club in Stanmore and has taken an active interest in his community, as well as maintaining his connections with Cyprus.

Today, Mouxouris spends almost every day at the Club in Stanmore playing backgammon with his friends and cronies in the “kafenion.” Any of his opponents will testify he still has the sharpness to defeat most newcomers in a game that requires strategic skill.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Summer soundtrack: The ultimate guide to Greek concerts and festivals in 2025

Wherever you are in the country, The Greek Herald has the inside scoop on must-see performances to catch during your summer escape.

Michael Zannis: The Greek Aussie cricket star redefining blindness

Michael Zannis has turned his ‘disability’ into his superpower. He lives as everyone else does and is thriving.

Greek olive oil today: Production, use and export data

Greek olive oil is consumed in large quantities in Greece today. Still, the small population leaves plenty of oil for export.

Greece ranks fifth highest in Europe for short-term rental prices

Greece has become the fifth most expensive destination in Europe for short-term rentals, with the average nightly rate reaching 250 euros.

Greece cracks down on beach violations amid thousands of complaints

Greek authorities are intensifying efforts to combat illegal beach occupation and protect public access to the coastline.

You May Also Like

Pontoxeniteas NSW’s Christmas party brings generations together in celebration

The annual Pontoxeniteas NSW Christmas Party brought together three generations of community members for a festive celebration.

10 things you need to know about the Venus de Milo (Aphrodite of Milos)

The Venus de Milo, or Aphrodite of Milos, is a sculpture created by the artist Alexandros of Antioch sometime between 150 and 125 BC.

Maria Sakkari advances to Qatar Open quarterfinal after straight sets win

Greek tennis player, Maria Sakkari, had a swift day at the office at the Qatar Total Open on Wednesday, ousting Madison Keys in straight sets.