The Cypriot Australian community mourns the loss of Peter Yiannoudes, a beloved figure who had a pivotal influence on the success of Greek cinema in Melbourne.
Peter Yiannoudes was born in Vouni, a village near Limassol, Cyprus, in 1935. From 1950 he worked at various cinemas in Limassol as ticket seller and assistant projectionist. He migrated to Australia in 1956. A pioneer of Greek cinema in Australia, he formed a film company in 1958 called “Cosmopolitan Motion Pictures” together with Andreas Papadopoulos and Stathis Raftopoulos, to be joined soon after by Chris Louis from Sydney. They became the sole Greek (and other) film distributors in Australia, catering to the immigrant populations of the post-WWII period. He was also actively involved in community affairs. In 1972, he became a member of AHEPA, serving in various roles over the years, including as its national president in Australia 2016-2018.
In 1972, he became a member of the Executive Committee of the Cyprus Community of Melbourne and Victoria, and served as its President from 1978 to 1990. From 1978-1996, he also served as President of the Federation of Cypriot Communities of Australia, and Vice-president of POMAK (World Organisation of Cypriots Abroad) becoming General Secretary of the latter in 1996-2003. From 1977 to 2003 he was President of the Justice for Cyprus Committee (SEKA). He was also involved in local fundraising and philanthropic efforts for members of the Greek and Cypriot communities. He has received several awards, including the Order of Australia Medal in 2013.
