Snowflakes, song, and heartfelt celebration swept through The Grand Roxy at Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney on Saturday, May 31, as Pontoxeniteas NSW hosted its spectacular Winter Wonderland Gala 2025 — a shimmering night of nostalgia, unity, and support for the beloved Pontian House at Earlwood.
Now in its second year, the sold-out event brought together over 250 guests, including 50 youth under the age of 25, in a dazzling display of intergenerational pride. From the laughter of children to the emotional reunions of long-time members, the atmosphere was nothing short of magical.
The evening was masterfully emceed by Christina Ioannidou and Marios Anthony. Guests were welcomed with drinks and a slideshow showcasing past community moments, as Mystery Bottles — complete with surprise prizes — were snapped up.
The purpose of the night was clear from the outset: raising funds to install a platform lift in the Pontian House, ensuring access for elderly and mobility-challenged members.
A community of honour
On the night, Pontoxeniteas NSW President Maria Anthony paid tribute to two of the founders of Pontoxeniteas, Basilios Pairidis and John Karamanlidis, who were both present.
“It is such an honour to have with us two of our founders… to witness our young people, our youth supporting our Pontian House, their vision from 45 years ago… and to see we are trying our hardest to maintain the building and leave it in good hands for future generations,” she said.
Guests also included Anastasia Christofilopoulou, First Secretary for Public Diplomacy at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney; Canterbury Bankstown City Councillor Clare Raffan, representing Sophie Cotsis MP; leaders of Pontian associations from Sydney, Wollongong, Canberra, and the broader diaspora; Greek community media representatives and members of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia.
Throughout the evening, several heartfelt speeches added depth and reflection to the celebration.
Youth Committee members Theo Moudanidis and Kosta Papoulidis opened with a spirited address, sharing what the Pontian House means to their generation. Ms Christofilopoulou followed with warm words of encouragement on behalf of the Greek Consulate.
Finally, President Ms Anthony delivered an impassioned message of gratitude and vision, highlighting the importance of making the Pontian House accessible to all.
“There are many of our members, our founders, that have stopped coming… as they are unable to walk the stairs,” Ms Anthony explained. “The platform lift is essential so we can welcome them all back.”
Each speech was met with applause, reinforcing the powerful sense of unity and purpose in the room.
During the formal proceedings, the contributions of sponsors and donors were also honoured with plaque presentations. The Mistridis, Kapoulas and Armenis families were thanked for significant donations which helped with renovations at the Pontian House.
Culture and emotion on display
The evening’s entertainment was led by Diogenis Ainatzis, a special guest from Greece, whose rich Pontian lyra and vocals were accompanied by Christophoros Skenderidis on keyboard and Prodromos Moysiadis on daouli. Their energetic sets filled the dance floor — from toddlers to grandparents — in a euphoric celebration of Pontian culture.
One of the most touching moments of the night came with the unveiling of an original painting by young dance student Leah Plakias. The painting, rich in symbolism and personal meaning, depicted the Pontian House as a “Pontian Youth Village” — a place where children grow up learning their dances, culture, and language.
The artwork sold for $2,000 to Con Mistridis, who later gifted it back to the President — a gesture that left Ms Anthony deeply moved.
Attendees on the night captured the depth of feeling in the room.
“My favourite moment was dancing with my children and grandchildren with so much passion and joy that was everywhere in the room!” Pontoxeniteas past president, Helen Macris, said.
Assistant Treasurer Nena Lambousis said she loved “reconnecting with past members that I had not seen in years.”
Committee Member Olga Seteridis added, “the night was very special for many of the older members and the new people who have joined in on the celebrations.”
Fundraising with heart
The room buzzed with generosity throughout the evening. There was a main auction, as well as a silent auction with a large number of items up for grabs.
A highlight was a signed glove and photo from world boxing champion George “Ferocious” Kambosos Jr, which fetched $4,000.
“Pontoxeniteas thanks George Kambosos Jr for donating to us for the second year and being the highest bid item on the night,” Ms Anthony said. “And a special mention to the Armenis boys who had their eye on that glove from the start!”
The main auction raised $10,900, and the total for the night surpassed $38,000, with final figures to be confirmed once all donations are tallied.
As dessert was served and raffle prizes drawn, the dance floor came alive once more — a joyful echo of all the laughter, history, and dreams the Pontian House continues to hold.
