By Bill Roumeliotis
On Thursday, December 5, the Federation of Elderly Citizens’ Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria hosted a farewell luncheon at a Greek taverna in honour of the Greek Consul General in Melbourne, Emmanuel Kakavelakis.
Mr Kakavelakis is being promoted to the rank of Ambassador and will soon take on a new diplomatic post in Syria.
The reception was attended by the Very Reverend Archimandrite Father Irineos, Liberal state MP Matthew Guy, Manningham City Councillor Jim Grivas, psychologist Mrs Kalampouka, Kostas Alaveras from the St. Panteleimon Community and Parish in Dandenong, who oversaw the event’s organisation, representatives of Greek organisations and federations, and members of the Greek media.
In his address, the President of the Federation, Yiannis Kostoulias, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “Today, we bid you farewell with deep sadness – first as an exceptional individual and then as our Consul General. During your tenure, you gave so much to us, standing by the Federation and our elderly without discrimination.”
“It is unfortunate that we must part due to your well-deserved promotion, but we will always hold you in our hearts with boundless respect,” he added.
“For this reason, we dedicate this small farewell reception to you today and wish you the very best in life. Mr Kakavelakis, please know you will always remain in our hearts because you were so well-loved, and we thank you for your contributions. We hope that we too met your expectations and that you will fondly remember the moments we shared. A big thank you from all the Elderly Citizens’ Clubs for everything you have done.”
In response, Mr Kakavelakis thanked the Federation for their work and service to the elderly. He remarked that he would always remember the Greek community of Melbourne, describing it as exceptionally vibrant.
Mr Kostoulias then presented the Consul General with a commemorative plaque as a token of the Federation’s love and friendship.
Finally, all attendees wished Mr Kakavelakis a safe journey, continued success, and every success in his new diplomatic role.
