The signage ‘Kalamata Laneway’ is now officially on display in Thornbury, Victoria, just in time for Greek Independence Day celebrations over the weekend.
Victoria’s Papaflessas Social Club named the laneway next to Papaflessa House, ‘Kalamata Lane,’ in recognition of the Greek community who emigrated in Thornbury in the 1950s from Kalamata in Greece.
The lane name was launched on October 22 last year by the Mayor of the Greek city of Kalamata Athanasios Vasilopoulos, and was officially gazetted on March 2 this 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. A move which has already been met with enthusiasm.
