The Kytherian Association of Australia (KAA) held its ‘Back to our Roots’ initiative in the New England region of New South Wales over three fun-filled days from Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27.
The event saw more than 70 people travelling from Melbourne, Wollongong, Sydney, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Brisbane and towns within the New England area to join the KAA in Armidale and Tamworth.
The weekend began on Friday, October 25 with the ‘Meet and Greet’ evening at the Whitebull Hotel where more than 50 people gathered to meet friends and relatives that they had not seen for more than ten years.
Those present also celebrated the 75th birthday of Sylvia Allegos whose father, Theodore Tambakis, operated the Golden Bell Cafe in Tamworth with his brothers. Through conversations with Paul Summers (Kalokerinos), Sylvia and her brother Nick discovered their fathers knew each other and at one point, Theodore worked in Paul’s father’s cafe. Koula Tzannes was instrumental to organising the evening.
At midday on Saturday, October 26, 48 people gathered for a walking tour of Beardy Street led by Emmanuel Calligeros. People learnt where many Greek shops used to be, and heard childhood stories from many who had grown up in Armidale.
The remainder of the afternoon was free time with several of those born in Armidale, driving past their family homes and also visiting Armidale Railway Station then Great Hops Brewery for a late lunch.
On Saturday night, more than 70 people gathered at the Servies Club for a dinner dance where the conversation flowed, more connections were made, and the 70th birthday of Emmanuel Calligeros was celebrated. The Kytherian World Heritage Fund gifted a book to everyone that attended. Jim Dedes played a significant role in organising the event and music for the night.
People travelled to St Demetrios church in Tamworth on Sunday, October 27, where a memorial was held for those whose relatives from the New England area had passed away. Father Edward Ward conducted the service and acknowledged the efforts of both the President of the KAA, Barbara Zantiotis and the President of St Demetrios Church, John Kalokerinos with the gift of an icon.
After church, more than 60 people visited the Longyard Hotel for lunch before some headed home and others chose to stay in the area to meet with friends and relatives. Kathy Calokerinos greatly assisted with organising this event.
The weekend was a great success. People learnt more about Kytherian ties to the region, made new friends, found relatives they didn’t know about and did so with plenty of fun and laughter.
