‘Kalamata Lane’ in Thornbury, Victoria was officially gazetted on March 2 this year, with the local Greek community waiting for signage with much enthusiasm.
‘Kalamata Lane’ is a recognition of those Greeks who emigrated to Thornbury in the 1950s from Kalamata in Greece.
The naming of the lane was officially launched on October 22 by the Mayor of the Greek city of Kalamata Athanasios Vasilopoulos, and represents a big win for Melbourne’s Pammessinian Brotherhood ‘Papaflessas’ and for the Greek community.
The initiative was voted unanimously by Darebin Council last year.
‘Kalamata Place’ was initially the idea of former Victorian minister John Pandazopoulos, however touchdown was scored when Councillor Emily Dimitriadis revived the idea in Darebin Council after it had gone cold.
At the time, Cr Dimitriades pointed to a “group effort” and told The Greek Herald that the launch of Kalamata Place in Thornbury would not have been possible without the backing of prominent Greek Australians, including former minister Jenny Mikakos.
Since the launch of Kalamata Place, The Greek Herald has pushed for the City of Kalamata to reciprocate with a Darebin placename. This has already been met with enthusiasm.
