The Pan Lemnian Organisation of Australia celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday, January 27, uniting people of Lemnian descent from all around Australia.
Visitors from New South Wales and South Australia came together in Victoria to enjoy a dinner dance hosted by the Lemnian Community of Victoria. Families, friends, and many special guests attended.
This year’s event was filled with traditional Lemnian dancing, delicious food and drinks, and continued into the early hours on Sunday. More than 300 guests attended.
The NSW Lemnos Club Dance Group also took the stage, where 40 members performed traditional dances, and ones with a modern twist.
The outgoing President of the Organisation, Penelope Panagiotopoulos made a post on Facebook regarding the event in Melbourne, and revealed how the Organisation began. She said it was first established in 1984.
“The first Gathering of the Lemnians took place in 1985 in Wagga Wagga, half-way between the two cities of Sydney and Melbourne,” Ms Panagiotopoulos said.
“5 buses came from Sydney, and 10 from Melbourne. The 1986 gathering took place in Melbourne where Lemnians of Adelaide and Canberra were also included.
“And so it continued ever since that Australian Lemnians meeting once a year at a different city.”
Ms Panagiotopoulos then explained that the presidency of the Organisation is passed on to a different state every two years. However, due to COVID, it was held in Sydney for the last five years.
“As the outgoing President of The Pan Lemnian Organisation, I wish to thank The Lemnian Association of NSW for honouring me with that position,” she said.
“It has been a privilege for me which I will treasure. I have met great Lemnians from all states and made lifelong friendships which I also treasure.”
