O Periklis Dance Group’s recent fundraising initiative at its TradFest event has raised an impressive $12,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Good Friday Appeal, a reminder of the strength and generosity of Melbourne’s Greek community.
Dance students Konstantine (Kosta) Greig and Minas Pazinas honoured their promise to shave their heads at the TradFest if they reached their $7,000 fundraising target — which they well and truly surpassed.
Kosta and Mina took to the middle of the dance floor to shave their locks — a clear highlight of the night.
“They came in with long hair and left a little bit lighter,” O Periklis President Joseph Tsombanopoulos told The Greek Herald.
The crowd was surprised with this unexpected dedication and Tsombanopoulos said he’s “really, really proud of the boys.”
The club’s personal reason for choosing RCH as its cause comes after their junior dancer Giorgio Binakis was diagnosed with a germinoma brain tumour in 2025 and spent countless hours undergoing treatment at the RCH.
Throughout his journey, Giorgio faced each challenge with courage, and the group is proud of his determination. He has now received a clean bill of health, and his family were overjoyed to hear the bells he rang on the way out of the hospital.
Giorgio’s presence at TradFest was an embodiment of his strength and positivity, and a testament to the impact of the hospital’s care.
Held at Melbourne’s Open Factory, TradFest brought together 180 community members for an evening celebrating traditional Greek music, culture and philanthropy. The event was organised by O Periklis committee members Mr Tsombanopoulos, Thanasis Thanos, Katherine Hatzis, Lydia Gassin, and Theodora Tsombanopoulos, with all organisers, musicians and staff volunteering their time.
O Periklis President Mr Tsombanopoulos described the night as a “fantastic” community driven event.
“Everyone was really on board with the fundraising… [and it was a] really great effort by the community,” he told The Greek Herald. “Without the community supporting the cause, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are.”
When asked what he hopes the group’s younger students will take away from this community initiative, Mr Tsombanopoulos said, “I just hope they see that it’s worthwhile giving back and raising money for good causes.”
Entertainment on the night reflected the richness of Greek musical traditions, with performances representing Epirus, Thrace, and Western Macedonia — including regions such as Florina, Kastoria, and Kozani.
Bands featured were Nisiotika (Paddy Montgomery, Paul Dounias, Theo Dounias, Dean Mandilas, Tim Mandilas, Suzi Symeou, and Zoe Radimissis), Halkina (George, Demetrius, and Sophia Kiriakidis, George Athanasakos), and Omados (George Athanasakos, Stavroula Thomopoulos, Joseph Tsombanopoulos, Ilias Miskas, Paddy Montgomery). Most musicians were under 30 which supports O Periklis’ commitment to celebrating young talent.
Lefkio Symeou also took to the stage with his niece Suzi Symeou for a set of Cypriot music which resonated with all attendees.
O Periklis will continue fostering community spirit through upcoming events, including their dinner dance on June 27, and have plans for TradFest to return later this year.
