The Cyprus Community of New South Wales has launched a bequest service to help benefactors directly support the charitable mission of the Community.
Kyriakos Panayi, Honorary Secretary of the Community, said that recent bequests and enquiries have prompted the Community to launch a bequest service to help navigate how to best support a range of charitable missions undertaken by the Community.
Recently, the estate of Chrysanthi Peters Kyriacou (Chrissie) has bequest funding to support prizes to students of the Community’s Greek language and dancing schools, in addition to supporting the teaching and research of Cypriot Greek, Cypriot archaeology – history, Cypriot arts and literature, and medical science.
Seed funding has also been provided to establish a permanent Australian-Cyprus facility in Cyprus to strengthen ties between the two people and encourage study and research of Cyprus.
Chrissie was born in Alexandria, Egypt in 1938. Her father was from Limassol and arrived in Sydney in 1951. She became a member of the Community in 1958. In 1980 to 1998, Chrissie served on the Cyprus Community Women’s Committee holding various roles including Secretary.
Another recent award is in honour of the late Jack Passaris OAM. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Mr Passaris had a close relationship with the Cyprus Community from the moment he landed in Australia in 1955.
Mr Passaris was a founding and Life Member of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW (ECCNSW), served as Treasurer and Trustee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Deputy Mayor and Councillor of Marrickville Council, Chair of Multicultural Care, Parish President of Saints Constantine and Helen Church in Newtown for 47 years, and President of the Justice for Cyprus committee, where he served for over 20 years.
For decades, Mr Passaris promoted the Cyprus cause, the language, culture and history of Cyprus, and was a well-known advocate and supporter of the Cyprus Community in Australian and overseas forums and institutions.
In recognition of his outstanding service and contributions to the community, Mr Passaris was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2009. In 2014, he was the recipient of the prestigious NSW Premier’s Lifetime Community Service Award, acknowledging over 40 years of dedication to social cohesion and interfaith harmony.
This will be the first year the prizes will be awarded to students of the Dancing and Greek language schools.
All bequests are managed independently of the Community. The funds are directly forwarded to the specified cause, with reporting and audit carried out in accordance with the Charities Act.
Mr Panayi said the Community was in advanced discussions to set up an ongoing programme of education, research and welfare activities within the scope of the Community’s charitable objectives and is exploring the establishment of a permanent facility and institution in Cyprus.
“It’s critical we provide the facilities and opportunities for our youth and young families to meet each other, learn about their background, language, history and identity,” Mr Panayi said.
“A bequest is a profound and lasting way to support the Community for generations to come.”
Cyprus Community of NSW Ltd was founded in 1929 as a not-for-profit organisation and is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission.
The bequest service will soon be available at the Community website: www.thecyprusclub.org.au. For further information contact the Community at info@thecyprusclub.org.au.
