The entire Australian community have been shaken from this years bushfires, which is encouraging more and more people to get involved and assist with bushfire relief. Businesses and individuals across the Greek community are amongst those wanting to make a difference.
Here is a list of Greek businesses, community groups and individuals contributing to bushfire relief.
The Hellenic Emergency Relief Fund Fire Appeal 2020
The Hellenic Emergency Fund (OTEA) in collaboration with the Pan-Thessaly Federation of Sydney, the Pan-Lesvian Federation of Australia and NZ, the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Australia, the Sydney Association of Athletes NSW, the Orpheus Homeland Choir, the Friends in Need Association, Olympiacos – “Sydney 7th Door”, the State Organising Committee of the “Panhellenic Oceania and Sydney Athletic Games”, Sydney of Australian arts, the Real Madrid Foundation of Australia and with the generous support of expatriate media.
They are organising a series of events over the next two months aimed at helping firefighters and organisations involved in extinguishing fires in NSW.
“We call upon all Hellenism, known for its charity, to contribute to this effort, with its mighty, noble donation, to support our fellow humans affected by the recent deadly and devastating fires,” said the organisers.
Events program:
- RADIO ERANOS – Saturday 1/2/20 from 9.00am to 3.00pm on the Hellenic Radio Station: Hellenic Radio of Australia 1683 am. Tel: 02-9750 0017
- DANCES – Friday 14/2/20 (Valentines’ Day) and from 7.00 pm at the DeFi-II Community Recreation Center 325 Burwood Rd Belmore 2192
- Lunch – Sunday 8/3/20 and from 12.30 pm at the Hermes Elements Club 279 Forest Rd, Bexley 2207
Donations can be deposited into the bank account:
Hellenic Emergency Relief Fund Inc., BSB: 942202, Account Number: 000546366, Bank of Sydney
Cheques will also be accepted to:
Hellenic Emergency Relief Fund, PO BOX 904 Petersham NSW 2049
For further information call the OTEA Organising Committee at: 0419 614 000, 0418 960 836, 0412 422 218, 0416 214 202 or email: gangelopoulos12@yahoo.com
Haverick Meats
Haverick Meats, owned by the Andrews family, are the leading supplier of premium quality Australian meat to the Food Service Industry.
On Saturday January 11th, Haverick Meats will be donating 100% of their profits in stores to charities assisting with the bushfires, including NSW RFS, The Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Rural Aid.
Additionally, the Andrews family will personally match the profits made from this Saturday, to double the donation.
“Our country and our earth are in the grips of a severe climate crisis and we’re absolutely shattered at what’s been happening not only in the drought-ridden agricultural areas but now with bushfires ravaging so much of our land. We’re a proudly Australian-owned and operated business and we stand behind our country and our right to live in a thriving, beautiful country,” said Haverick Meats on social media.
Where/When: 8am to 1pm on Saturday January 11th, at 13–15 Green St Banksmeadow NSW 2019.
Universal Hotels
Universal Hotels, owned by the Kospetas family, have also started their own bushfire appeal.
Each of their venues will have a donation box that patrons can contribute to, and the company will match every dollar that is donated.
Additionally, The Oxford Hotel will be donating 5% of all bar sales and Afters Sydney will donate 10% of all entry sales in January to the bushfire appeal.
Proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross, WIRES and the NSW RFS.
Their venues include:
- Civic
- V Bar
- Hotel Downing
- Kinselas
- Universal
- The Oxford Hotel
- Brighton Hotel
- 1821 Restaurant
Sydney Restaurant Group
Sydney Restaurant Group has pledged to donate 1% of revenue to WIRES Australian Wildfire Rescue Organisation.
“Our heart goes out to everyone affected by the horrific bushfires that are currently ravaging our country,” said the organisation.
Sydney Restaurant Group is owned by Greek Australian Bill Drakopoulos.
Sydney Restaurant Group includes the following locations:
- Aqua Dining
- Ormeggio at The Spit
- LuMi Bar & Dining
- Ripples Milsons Point
- Ripples Chowder Bay
- The Nielsen
- The Fenwick
- Noi
- Via Alta
- Chiosco by Ormeggio
- Jardin St James
- Caffeine Cartel
All Saints Church, Belmore
The Greek community of Belmore, together with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia announced their participation in the ‘Side by Side: Our Community Standing with Yours Initiative, on Tuesday January 14th.
State Representative Tony Burke and local MPs Sophie Cotsis and Jihad Dib announced the initiative, which aims to promote and strengthen community actions in relieving residents of disaster-stricken areas. Particularly as a response to the bushfire tragedy that has affected thousands of Australian communities.
At the meeting, the Parish Priest of All Saints Church in Belmore, Very Rev. Archimandrite Apostolos Trifyllis, announced that the church had raised $8,500 on December 22nd to buy food for struggling farmers during the bushfire tragedy.
The food fundraiser filled a container, which was shipped last week, by a vehicle donated by Mr. Panagiotis Synadinos to Jervis Bay, with a distribution centre on the Parish-Community of St John.
Last Sunday, January 12th, ‘tiropites’ were sold to buy energy drinks for firefighters.
The next fundraiser in line with the initiative will take place on January 24th, which will focus on collecting household items for bushfire victims.
The next fundraiser after that will be fundraising for schools affected by the bushfires.
Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW
The Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW is hosting a fundraising luncheon to support the Australian Bushfire Crisis Relief.
A $50 donation will be collected from each patron.
All Funds Collected will be donated to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Fire Appeal Fund.
You can secure your tickets HERE.
Where/When: The event will be held at The Cretan House, 57 Sydenham Road, Marrickville, at 2pm on Saturday 18 January 2020.
Greek Community of Melbourne
With the support of Martha Tsamis, Peter Kalliakoudis and Nick Missailidis, the Greek Community of Melbourne is organising a fundraiser for the bushfire victims on Friday, 17th of January, at Chasers.
“The Greek community is coming together, to do what it does best…support people where needed. We can all remember the massive fundraising event last year for the Mati fires, we are banding once again to support our fellow Australians,” says Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne.
The night will feature a super impressive line up of Greek Australian entertainers/musicians, including:
DJs: Nick Missailidis, Lambros, Artie K, Johnny G, George Ross
Live Band: Spasta Band and Nik M (Toubeleki)
MCs: Con Laz and Peter Kalliakoudis
“As Greek Australians, our commitment to Australia is unwavering. We feel for our fellow Australians in this time of need and it is incumbent to assist in any way we can,” says Bill Papastergiadis.
When/Where: Friday, January 17th 2020 at Chasers Venue – 386 Chapel St, South Yarra VIC 3141
Ginseng Hellenic Bushfire Fundraising Dinner, Canberra
Ginseng Hellenic, together with The Hellenic Club Woden hosted a sold-out fundraising dinner for the Australian Red Cross on Saturday 11th January.
“Ginseng Hellenic and The Hellenic Club Woden have been deeply touched by the tragic Australian bushfires in particular the South Coast. We simply cannot fathom the devastation being experienced by those who have been impacted by the fires across the country,” said a statement in the event page.
100% of the proceeds from the night were donated to the Australian Red Cross.
Tickets were priced at $70 each.
ACT Red Cross staff and volunteers were also present at the event.
Many people were to thank for the success of the event, including the Hellenic Club of Canberra for supplying beverages, Farm Fresh, Fyshwick Markets for supplying fruit and vegetables, Bidfood who supplied prawns, Canberra Prosperous Mountain Dragon and Lion Dance who performed a lion dance performance, Gabrielle de Ramos for acoustic entertainment, and the front of house and kitchen work that was all contributed via volunteers who donated their time and skills.
Raffle prizes and sponsors were also acknowledged. These included Reis and James Travel Associates for providing a $1000 gift voucher, Buzz Automative for a $140 gift voucher, Urban Fusion Massage & Day Spa who donated 2 vouchers, Alpha Cleaning Services who donated a $200 voucher, Club Lime who donated a 1-year gym membership and a 1-year ladies only eternity membership, F45 Barton donated an 8-week gym membership, Fenway Public House donated a dining voucher and Morning Glory also donated a dining voucher.
Avli Restaurant, Sydney
Greek restaurant, Avli, which opened its doors in 2017 in the Penrith area, are hosting a free thank you dinner for all volunteer firefighters in the Penrith Valley and Hawkesbury Region.
The event will take place on Thursday, 16th Feburary 2020.
“As all our communities are coming together to help support all those who have helped and lost with the terrible fires, Avli also wants to do their part to give back,” said Avli Restaurant owners.
Avli is a family restaurant owned by Sophia Tsaparopoulos and Kiriakos Tsaparopoulos.
Babyboo Fashion
Popular online clothing brand, Babyboo fashion, which is owned by young Greek-Australian woman, Argylica Conditsis, donated 100% of their profits for a 24 hour period to bushfire relief.
“I am immensely proud and honoured to be leading a company that has pledged to provide support through a donation of 100% of our @babyboofashion profits made within the next day. My heart bleeds for everyone affected,” said Argylica.
Billy’s Bar Espresso, Sydney
Billy and the team from Billy’s Bar Espresso have been donating $1 from every cup of coffee sold to Australian Bushfire Relief. This initiative began at the beginning of this week and will finish on Sunday January 12th.
“In this time of need we encourage everyone to do what they can to help. From everyone here at Billy’s we say thank you and stay safe,” they said.
Where: Shop 3, Pacific Square, 737 Anzac Pde., Maroubra NSW 2035.
Diaspora Kouzina, Adelaide
The Greek diner in South Australia is donating $1 from every coffee sold this week to the Kangaroo Island Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund.
There are also collection tins on the counter you can contribute to.
In addition, Cypriot family-owned business Loucas Seafood Restaurant is matching all donations sold through coffee.
Where: 250 Pulteney St, Adelaide SA 5000
Pontoxeniteas
Pontoxeniteas will be donating Gift Cards to the community of Balmoral Village, this Saturday 11th January.
All the giftcards will be left with the Balmoral Village RFS.
Maria Anthony and executive committee will also be cooking lunch for everyone at the Balmoral Village RFS on the day.
“A gift card of any amount will be appreciated, and it will directly assist the families that have lost their homes. It can be used to help with school supplies, food, clothes and can be used within 2 years,” said committee member Maria Anthony.
Gift card drop offs will be accepted any time before Saturday, January 11th, at 9am.
Gift card drop offs will be accepted in Earlwood and anyone requesting further details is encouraged to contact Maria Anthony.
Defi II Fire Appeal
Peter Sinodinos, owner of Defi II nightclub and CEO of a successful transport and logistics company, is collecting items to transport, organise and distribute items directly to bushfire victims and fire brigades.
No money is being collected through this drive, only items.
Items can be dropped off at:
- Defi II – 325 Burwood Rd, Belmore NSW, 2192
- Container Freight Services of CFS (23 Pine Road Yennora NSW, 2161
His first delivery will be on Saturday January 11th.
“I believe we as Greeks owe this to this country and that if we all got together we could really make a difference,” he said.
Trireme Group – Firefighter Tiropita Initiative
Peter Papoulidis of the Trireme Group has been cooking and serving imported Greek goods and pastries to the firefighters of the Southern Highlands.
“I just felt the need to do my little bit. I knew I had a product that would be appreciated, as it can be consumed at room temperature and extremely versatile for the needs of firefighters,” says Peter.
Peter would like to thank everyone that helped him throughout the summer including his supplier Hudson’s Pacific, who donated one dollar for every dollar worth of stock ordered once they realised what the stock was used for.
Delphi Bank
Delphi Bank, together with their parent company Bendigo Bank, launched a national Bushfire Disaster Appeal in partnership with The Salvation Army Australia to help those devastated by bushfires across Australia.
So far, they have collected 18 million dollars for bushfire relief through generous donations.
One hundred percent of funds donated to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal will be directed to communities affected across the country.
Donations can be made at any Bendigo Bank branch or online.
Bank of Sydney
Bank of Sydney have provided financial support to WIRES, The Salvation Army, NSW RFS, VIC CFA, The Red Cross and the RSPCA.
They have also encouraged all their followers to contribute to these causes.
Additionally, Bank of Sydney customers who have been affected by the fires have been encouraged to contact the bank directly on 1300 226 546.
Bushfire victims may be eligible for the hardship assistance program. More information is available HERE.
