By Constantine D. Vertzayias, Solicitor and Notary Public
For many years now we have known about the OFSE property at Kemps Creek, known as the “Hellenic Village”. We have reached the point where the moment of completing the sale is approaching. For this achievement we must congratulate the Board, as the negotiations and the process are complex, full of obstacles and difficulties.
It appears, however, that we are heading towards a successful conclusion and this divine gift, the unexpected, the windfall – indeed a veritable bonanza – is the greatest opportunity that has ever come to any Greek community anywhere in the world.
Let me briefly recall the background. It initially began as an effort by the Pan-Arcadian Brotherhood which, through Christos Skoufis, transferred it to OFSE because it was “an important matter for the entire Community and not for any one brotherhood.” This selfless and patriotic contribution must be recognised and appreciated. Subsequently, negotiations took place during the presidency of Ioannis Kokkaliaris and the State Government agreed to grant the 40-hectare site at Kemps Creek on a 99-year lease at an annual rent of $100. With the initial enthusiasm that generally characterises Greeks, we planned grand projects which were, of course, impossible to realise due to the lack of the substantial funds required.
Thereafter, under my presidency, we decided to approach the Government to purchase it, on the reasoning that, firstly, only if it became our property could we persuade individuals and brotherhoods to invest money in its development and, secondly, in the event that it was not developed, we would at least have an asset whose value would increase over time (of course, no one could have imagined that it would reach the price at which it has now been sold).
However, in order to purchase it, we went through many trials and difficulties. The first obstacle was that OFSE did not have its own funds. The second was that, of the then-28 member brotherhoods, around 10–12 did not wish to contribute money. I was obliged to visit the non-cooperative brotherhoods and, in two cases, they called Extraordinary General Meetings for their members to approve (or not) participation. This process took years and, in the meantime, the time specified in the contract for completing the purchase had expired. The Government’s lawyers threatened to cancel the sale as we had exceeded the time limits.
We are fortunate Bob Carr (and here we must also mention the late Takis Kaldis), not once but twice extended the time for us to complete the purchase.
The third problem, after all the efforts to persuade the reluctant member brotherhoods, was that we were still short of the required amount. Thus, we decided to seek assistance outside the OFSE brotherhoods. We approached the Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales, AHEPA and the Hellenic Club of Sydney. The latter two responded positively. However, we were still short by $20,000 and did not have the funds for stamp duty. Once again, Mr Carr and Mr Kaldis assisted us by reducing the purchase price from $500,000 to $485,000, allowing us to pay $15,000 in stamp duty. For the remaining $20,000, we again looked outside OFSE. The Apollo Club gave us $10,000 and we were desperately searching for another $10,000. In the end, the late Lefteris Sioustis contributed the funds held by the Greek Taxi Drivers Association, and thus the purchase was completed. All of this is documented from my position as President and solicitor of OFSE.
At this point, certain truths must be stated and understood by all. First, without the contribution of the brotherhoods that provided funds, the purchase would not have taken place, and the Community must be grateful to these organisations. Second, all the brotherhoods (and the Taxi Drivers Association – which was not a brotherhood) fulfilled their duty for the good of the Community. That was their sole motivation. There was not the slightest illusion that they were acting for their own interests.
Third, there is an issue concerning the Hellenic Club which has influenced certain brotherhoods. The Hellenic Club requires funds for reasons relating to the Club itself. The Hellenic Club is an important and significant asset of the Greek Community (and here a note is needed – all property owned by one or another organisation belongs to the community, because all of us may participate as members, and such assets were accumulated through events and contributions from members of the community). The Hellenic Club is a special case, as there is no other Greek building of such value and significance in such a location, worth many millions. All of us can be members of the Hellenic Club and we must all help to preserve it and ensure it remains entirely Greek.
Fourth, as we all know, our problem is, without exaggeration, existential – we are losing our language and our identity from one generation to the next. Here we have the unique opportunity to build something that will guarantee the existence and continuity of the Greek community for many generations. A great legacy for our grandchildren, great-grandchildren and beyond. To create something that does not exist in any Greek community anywhere in the world. The brotherhoods hold enormous power and, at the same time, responsibility for the future of our community. A wrong move or decision will weigh on them for generations and they will face criticism, condemnation and rejection not only now but forever.
For almost 30 years the Community has lived with this vision – now it can be realised:
- Creation of a Pan-Hellenic Fund, which will grow over time through donations (which will be tax-deductible), bequests and the assets of brotherhoods (when they dissolve). The capital will remain intact and the interest will be used for the needs of the Community – education, aged care homes, childcare centres, etc.
- A portion to be used for the needs of the Hellenic Club, with mutual benefits.
- A portion for a Pan-Hellenic Cultural Centre.
- In the future, when the Pan-Hellenic Fund grows, to build a Greek skyscraper on the current site of the Hellenic Club. Such a building will not exist anywhere in the world.
Do we believe in this vision? Here is Rhodes, here is the leap.
P.S: In the event that the funds from the sale are distributed among the brotherhoods, many millions will be paid to the government in capital gains tax. That is, they will be lost unjustifiably from the hands of the community. For this reason, I repeat the great responsibility held by the Boards of these brotherhoods.
