Kytherian Association of Australia
Kytherian Association of Australia.
Rockdale Post Shop
P O Box 183
Rockdale NSW 2216
Australia
Physical Address:
Level 1 / 24 King Street
Rockdale 2216.
NSW
Join the KAA now. Download your Application Form, here
KAA-new_membership_application_form.pdf
Renew your KAA membership now. Download your 2011 renewal form here.
KAA_membership_renewal_form.pdf
Visit the superb KAA website at:
www.kytherianassociation.com.au
You can contact KAA, Sydney via:
KAA Main Address
President
and
George Poulos
Committee, 2014
[[picture:"0002 KAA Committee 2.jpg" ID:22406]]
Front Row, Left to Right:Angelo Notaras, Kathy Samios,Victor Kepreotis, Kalie Zervos, Esther Kalligeros, John Fardoulis.
Back Row, Left to Right: George Giaouris, Michael Mallos, George Poulos,George Vardas, Theo Poulos, Angelo Andrew, Dimitri Kepreotes.
Victor Kepreotis
President
Ball Committee
Aged Care Trust
0408 216 108
Kathy Samios
Vice-President
Ball Committee
George Giaouris
Treasurer
Technology Officer
Aged Care Trust
George C Poulos
Secretary
Public Relations Officer
Librarian
Technology Officer
Kytherian World Heritage Fund
Email George, here
02 93888320
Kalie Zervos Assistant Secretary, Memberships, Genealogy Club
George Vardas
Cultural Officer
Librarian
0403 053 900
Esther Calligeros
Ball Committee
Micheal Mallos
Property Committee
Angelo Notaras
Constitution Committee,
Property Committee
Kytherian World Heritage Fund
Theo Poulos
Aged Care Trust
Angelo Andrew
KAWK
Dimitri Kepreotes
Religion Committee
Committee, 2011-2013
[[picture:"Committee 3R.jpg" ID:19897]]
Front Row, Left to Right: Michael Mallos, Kalie Zervos, Victor Kepreotis, Kathy Samios, John Fardoulis.
Back Row, Left to Right: George Giaouris, George Vardas, Esther Kalligeros, Theo Poulos, Angelo Andrew, George Poulos, Angelo Notaras.
Victor Kepreotis
President
Ball Committee
0408 216 108
Kathy Samios
Vice-President
Ball Committee
George Giaouris
Treasurer
Technology Officer
George C Poulos
Secretary
Public Relations Officer
Librarian
Technology Officer
Email George, here
02 93888320
Kalie Zervos Assistant Secretary, Memberships
George Vardas
Cultural Officer
Librarian
0403 053 900
John Fardoulis
Youth,
Special Projects,
Technology Officer
Esther Calligeros
Ball Committee
Micheal Mallos
Angelo Notaras
Consitution Committee
Theo Poulos
Angelo Andrew
Committee, 2009-2011
Victor Kepreotis
President
Ball Committee
0408 216 108
Kathy Samios
Vice-President
Ball Committee
George Giaouris
Treasurer
Technology Officer
Spiro Coolentianos
Secretary.
Technology Officer
George C Poulos
Public Relations Officer
Librarian
Technology Officer
Email George, here
02 93888320
George Vardas
Cultural Officer
Librarian
0403 053 900
Esther Calligeros
Ball Committee
Micheal Mallos
Angelo Notaras
Consitution Committee
Theo Poulos
Committee, 2006-2008
[[picture:"KAA Committee" ID:13943]]
Victor Kepreotis
President
Kathy Samios
Vice-President
John Kepreotes
Treasurer
George C Poulos
Secretary
Technology Officer
Librarian
Email George, here
Spiro Coolentianos
Assistant Secretary.
Technology Officer
George Giaouris
Technology Officer
Emmanuel Varipatis
Technology Officer
Esther Calligeros
Micheal Mallos
Angelo Notaras
Theo Poulos
George Caponas
The Editor, of the Kytherian Newsletter, Sydney is Kathy Kepreotis
You can contact the editor of the Kytherian Newsletter, Sydney here
Download back issues of the Kytherian Newsletter, here:
[[picture:"Greek PM with Kytherian Committee 2007 2.jpg" ID:14078]]
Members of the Excecutive with the Prime Minister of Greece, May 23rd, 2007
Committee 2004-2005
[[picture:"KAA Committee.jpg" ID:7162]]
Left to Right:
Front Row: Esther Calligeros, Micheal Mallos, Victor Kepreotis, Kathy Samios.
Standing: Catherine Economos, George C Poulos, Eleni Malanos.
President
Victor Kepreotis
Vice-President
Micheal Mallos
Treasurer
Esther Calligeros
Head Librarian
George C Poulos
Functions Co-ordinator
Kathy Samios
The Kytherian Association of Australia - then called the Kytherian Brotherhood - held its inaugural meeting at the Marathon Café in Sydney in 1922. Since then it has worked tirelessly to promote Kytherian culture and has successfully inspired generations of Kytherian-Australians to appreciate the heritage of their parents and grandparents.
Detailed History, The Kytherian Association of Australia, Sydney
Cosmas Cassimatis and the founding of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia, 1922
On 12 May 1921, Cosmas Jacob Cassimatis floated the idea of a Kytherian brotherhood with his friend Theo Crithary at Theo’s Marathon Cafe in Darlinghurst. Exactly one year later, on 12 May, 1922, at Cosmas’ Canberra Cafe at Central, they drew up a letter of intent, encapsulating Cosmas’ basic idea. With that document, the Kytherian Brotherhood came into existence, and it formed the first page of the first Minute Book of the Brotherhood.
In August, 1922, all Kytherians were invited and the first Committee was formed as follows,
Cosmas J. Cassimatis.........President
Peter Minoukos..................Vice President
Bill Feros.............................Secretary
Nick Marcello.....................Treasurer
Cosmas Andronicus
Theo Crithary
Bretos Margetis
John Psaltis
The Constitution was further developed, and incorporated Cosmas’ ideas. In 1936 the Brotherhood was formed into a company, and the original Constitution formed part of the Articles of Association. To this day, very little of this Constitution has been altered.
From the beginning, Cosmas felt that the Brotherhood should honour the two Patron Saints of Kythera, Theodore and Panagia Myrtidiotissa, and the Martyr, Saint Elesa. This forms a major part of our Constitution.
Throughout his life, Cosmas, the son of a priest, and someone who had wanted also to study Theology, was a major influence on the Greek Orthodox Community, then centred on Agia Triada in Surry Hills. He served for a short time as President of the Greek Community, and this, combined with his position as President of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia, meant that he was seen as a father figure by many of the young arrivals, even to the extent of them asking for his permission to marry. His business judgement was highly respected.
Cosmas was born in Kato Livadi, Kythera, in 1889, and first came to Australia in 1908. He returned to Greece briefly, served in the Balkan Wars, and returned in 1914. After several business ventures he purchased a cafe, the Canberra Cafe in Oxford Street, Taylor Square, with cousin Nick Cassimatis and four other partners - Nick Travasaros, Stamati Marcello, Stratis Tzannes and John Megaloconomos. Cousin Nick was to later sell out and open a store in Park Street, but the descendants of all the others continue to hold the property in partnership to this day, making it one of the longest partnerships in Australian Greek history.
[[picture:"Canberra Cafe, with Cosmas Cassimatis.jpg" ID:6262]]
Canberra Cafe. Cosmas Cassimatis is standing on the right.
This Canberra Cafe in Oxford Street became the meeting place for the newly formed Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia. It was decided that a meeting would be held once a year, and Kytherians would travel from all the country towns to meet in Sydney on the proposed date. Although picnic days were also held, it was not until larger numbers of women arrived from Kythera that more social functions were organised.
Cosmas, who was naturalised in 1925 (although he had originally intended to stay in Australia for only a few years) returned to Kythera only once more, and this time it was to marry. In 1929, on the advice of his father, he married Marica Lazerreti, of Lazerretianiki (JKiato Livadi). This marriage, which was an extremely happy one, produced three children, Katina, Jack and Emmanuel.
Marica, born in 1904, had served as the Secretary of the Kytherian Community. In this role, being a literate woman, having completed her schooling which was unusual for her time, she was often called upon to read letters arriving from Australia or other countries to which Kytherians had emigrated, and also to write lefters for those on the island.
Marica returned to Kythera for a visit with son Jack in 1969 and was met at the docks with banners saying ‘Welcome back Marica’. It took about 4 hours to walk 100 metres, such was the
excitement from the people who remembered her with much deep affection.
In Australia, Marica, a very devout woman, proved to be a mother figure for many of the young women, cut off from their mothers and grandmothers whom they had left behind in Greece. She gave advice on cooking, on how to get on in Australia, and on many other matters. Their house, in Kensington, hosted many wedding receptions for Kytherians. Marica supported Cosmas in his role as a leader amongst his fellow Greeks; a role which meant being called upon to accompany Prince Phillip, then a prince of Greece, on his tour of Australia.
In the early days, Greeks believed that Australians had much to teach them, and they aimed to assimilate, while at the same time holding on to what they felt was worthwhile in their own culture. According to son, Emmanuel, these early Kytherians "had a very high moral code, their principles were second to none., and their good name was of paramount importance."
These ideas, that we are guests and should not forget it, and that we should never give anyone reason to say anything bad about us, have influenced all the subsequent generations of Kytherians born in Australia (although we are no longer ‘guests’). Eighty years on, the Kytherian Association of Australia (formerly the Brotherhood) can rightly feel proud of its roots, and the man, Cosmas Jacob Cassimatis, who was the force behind the Association’s formation.
By Ann Coward, from information supplied by Emmanuel Cassimatis
First published in Programme, 80th Anniversary Debutante Ball, 2002, Kytherian Association of Australia, pp. 36-37.
1972 - commemorating the Kytherian Association of Australia's 50th year
[[picture:"50th Kytherian Brotherhood 1972 50th Anniversary celebrations (2).jpg" ID:20104]]
With the help of former President of the Kytherian Association of Australia, John Prineas, and and Vassi Uhrweiss (nee, Margetis) – we can now determine that the photo attached was taken in 1972 – on the occasion of the 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE Kytherian Association of Australia.
It was taken on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary Kytherian Ball.
The photograph features committee members / wives / descendants of the original committee - the founding fathers of the Kytherian Association of Australia - including one founding father - still alive at the time - Mr Bill Feros.
A sophisticated booklet was produced to commemorate the 50th Anniversary / all – copies of which can be found in the KAA Library.
From Left to Right:
Manolis G Casimatis (Past president)
Manolis Sklavos (Later became president)
Bill Feros (Angela Comino's Father and the only founding member, and Original Secretary.)
Manolis Cassimatis and his mother. (His father was the founding president. He later became Vice-President)
Evridiki Psaltis (Wife of John, who was a foundation member)
Mrs Betty Stamel. (Her father Nick Psaltis was also foundation member)
Mrs Theodora Margetis. (Husband Bretos was a founding member.)
Aspacia Sophios (Her husband was on a later Kytherian Association Committee’s. Alec Sophios’ mother, and sister to Theodora Margetis, (nee Lianos)).
Peter Aroney (President for many years)
Angela Alfred (Alfieris)
The Committee of 1979:
[[picture:"KAA 1.jpg" ID:21000]]
Back Row: Spiros Frilingos, Nick S. Samios, Arthur Sklavos, George Cassimatis, Nick Samios.
Front Row: Petros Coroneos, Violet Sandeman, Eleftherios Fatseas, President, Con Andronicos, Treasurer, Peter Kalligeros.
Absent: Nick Sandeman, Vice President, Con Gavrilis.
Detailed History 2.
From,
Peter Vanges. Kythera. A History. 1993.
Chapter 52
Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia (NSW)
History to 1993.
Seventy years ago, the Kytherian pioneers in Australia saw the need to unite the Kytherian community within a formal association which had as its objectives, fellowship, social and cultural activities and also in helping the underprivileged, by contributing to various charities both in Australia and in Greece. It was on 14th May 1922, that the inaugural meeting of the Kytherian Brotherhood took place at the Marathon Cafe situated then at 72 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney. On that evening, the late Cosmas Cassimatis and Theodore Kritharis called for a constitution to be drawn up and a date was set for a general meeting and the election of a managing committee. The election was held on 20th August 1922, and the Foundation Committee was installed to serve for a term of two years. This Committee comprised the following:
Cosmas Cassimatis................................ President
Peter Minoukos..................................... Vice President
Bill Feros................................................ Secretary
Nick Marcello........................................ Treasurer
Theo Kritharis........................................ Member
Charles Andronicos................................ Member
John Psaltis............................................ Member
The activity and progress of the Kytherian Brotherhood has been outstanding. The far-sighted founders of the Brotherhood could not possibly have foreseen that the little social group they founded would grow into one of the largest associations of its type. Over the years, donations of large sums of money have been made to various charitable institutions. The Brotherhood’s benevolence has been directed to alleviating many of the needs of the island of Kythera. Numerous contributions have been made to public works, hospitals, schools and general relief to the underprivileged.
During World War II, the Kytherian Brotherhood was instrumental in the organisation of a war-relief fund and a large sum of money was eventually remitted to Greece for this purpose.
Such activities together with the great attainment of the Kytherians of subsequent generations have brought a high degree of esteem to the Kytherian Brotherhood.
“Reflecting back over the years, it becomes very clear that the Kytherians in Australia have been among the most progressive migrants, assimilating well into the Australian community, without neglecting to carry on some of the fine traditions of the old country.” (Quotation from 50th Anniversary Message byJ. Prineas.)
Many honest, hard-working and trustworthy Kytherians have served on the Brotherhood Committees since 1922. In recognition of their service, a list of members who served for a period of one year or more is presented.
1922 -1924
Foundation members
Cosmas J. Cassimatis, President
Theodore E. Kritharis
John Psaltis
Cosmas Andronicos
Bill Feros, Secretary
Nick Marcello, Treasurer
Peter Minoukos, Vice President
Vretos Margetis
1924-1926
Bill Feros, President
George Marcello, Vice President
Anastasios Samios
George Cominos
Emmanuel Cassimatis, Secretary
E. Mavromatis, Treasurer
Peter Mylonopoulos
Theodore Prineas
Anastasios Caponas
1926 - 1928
Cosma Cassimatis, President
Cosma Andronicos, Treasurer
Peter A. Aroney
Polihronis Calopedis
George Cominos, Vice President
Peter Calopedis
Vretos Margetis, Secretary
1928-1936
George Calligeros, President
S. Marcelos, Secretary
George Cavallinis
Emmanuel Mavromatis, Treasurer
Gregory Samios
Nick Bailos
Peter Psaltis
Nicholas Gianniotis, Vice President
1936-1938
George Cominos
George Calligeros, Vice President
Emmanuel Mavromatis, Treasurer
George Lianos
Peter Zantiotis
Nick Sofios, President
Angelo Melitas, Secretary
Anargiros Fatseas, Secretary
1938-1940
George Calligeros
George Lianos
George Vamvakaris, Treasurer
Nick Sofios, President! Secretary
Peter Critharis, President
Emmanuel Mavromatis
Peter Zantiotis
George Mavromatis, Secretary
1940- 1944
George Calligeros
George Lianos
Nick Sofios, President
Emmanuel Mavromatis, Treasurer
Peter Zantiotis
George Mavromatis, Secretary
Andrew Semitecolos
Peter Minoukos
Fotios Aroney
Peter T. Aroney
1944-1950
Con Aroneys, President
Peter T. Aroney
Nick Aroneys, Treasurer
Peter Haniotis
Angelo Mallos, S’ecretary
Cosma Castrisos
John Cassimatis
Angelo Zantey
1951 - 1955
Nick D. Psaltis, President
John Tambakis, Vice President
Angelo Mallos, Secretary
Peter Critharis
Arthur Castrissos
Nick A. Aroney
Stamatios Marcellos
1956-1958
Peter E. Aroney, President
Cosmas Caravoussanos, Vice President
Spiro Vlandis, Secretary
Peter Mavromatis, Treasurer
Arthur Geraketeys
George Cavalinis
Andreas Semitecolos
John A. Psaltis
Theo Panaretos
Jim Mavromatis
Eleftherios Fatseas
George Zantiotis
1958-1960
Peter E. Aroney, President
Cosmas Caravousanos, Vice President
Spiro Vlandis, Vice President! Secretary
John A. Psaltis, Treasurer
George Cavalinis
Peter Mavromatis
Jim Mavromatis, Secretary
Paul Callopedis
Andreas Semitekolos
Anthony Prineas
John Tzannes
Peter Samios
Denis Aroney
George Calligeros
1960 - 1962
Peter E. Aroney, President
Spiros Vlandis, Vice President
Jim A. Psaltis
Miss Mary Coroneos, Secretary
Miss Olga Coroneos, Assistant Treasurer
Theo Gavrily
Emmanuel G. Cassimatis
George Calligeros
Angelo Mallos
Anthony Prineas
Peter Samios
John Tzannes, Assistant Secretary
1963
Peter E. Aroney, President
Miss Kathy Comino, Secretary
John Psaltis, Treasurer
Theo Gavrily
Eleftherios Fatseas, Assistant Treasurer
John Tzannes, Assistant Secretary
Andrew G. Balos
Emmanuel G. Cassimatis
Peter Samios
Haralambos Mavros
Angelo Mallos
George Calligeris
1964- 1966
Peter E. Aroney, President
Spiro Vlandis, Vice President
Miss Kathy Comino, Secretary
Jim Psaltis, Treasurer
Andrew Balos
George Calligeris
John Tzannes
Emmanuel G. Cassimatis
Mrs. Emilia Alfred
Peter Samios
Theo Gavrily
Angelo Mallos
1967
Chris Castrission, President
Stefanos Carydis, Vice President
Emmanuel Sklavos, Secretary
Charles T. Comino, Treasurer
Petro Coroneos
Paul Panaretos
John Psaltis
Peter Vlandis
Spiro Venardos
Jim Smiles
Jim Raissis
Charles G. Comino, Assistant Secretary
1968 - 1969
Emmanuel Sklavos, President
Eleftherios Fatseas, Vice President
Stefanos Carydis, Secretary John Kallinikos, Assistant Secretary
A. Diacopoulos, Treasurer
Petro Coroneos
Charles G. Cominos
Andrew G. Balos
John Tzannes
Theo Zantiotis
Harry Mavros
Jim Raissis
1970-1971
Emmanuel Sklavos, President
Harry Mavros, Vice President
Stefanos Carydis, Secretary
Nick Economos, Assistant Secretary.
Andrew G. Balos, Treasurer
Charles Cominos, Assistant Treasurer
Emmanuel Cretan
John Kallinikos
John Tzannes
John G. Prineas
George V. Psaltis
Con Simos
1972-1973
John G. Prineas, President
Andrew Coroneos, Vice President
Nick Economos, Secretary
Andrew G. Balos, Treasurer
Mrs. EniiliaAlfred, AssistantSecretary
ZacharyaSouris, AssistantTreasurer
Nick Poulos,
George V. Psaltis
Charles G. Comino
Alexander Malacos
John A. Psaltis
Nick Souris
1974-75
Andrew Balos, President
Petro Coroneos, Vice President
Andrew Coroneos, Secretary
Nick Economos, Treasurer
Mrs Saphira Caravousanos, Asstistant Secretary
Zaharias Souris, Assistant Treasurer
George A. Balos
Charles G. Comino
Haritos Sophios
George C. Psaltis
George V. Psaltis
Con Simos
1976
Eleftherios Fatseas, President
Peter Mageros, Secretary
Nick Economos, Treasurer
John Mallos
Con Simos
George V. Psaltis
George C. Psaltis
George Cassimatis
Miss Betty Panaretos
Charles Comino
Anthony Calligeros
Petro Coroneos
1977
Eleftherios Fatseas, President
John Mallos
Nick Sandeman
Petro Coroneos
Spiros Frilingos
Con Raissis
George C. Psaltis
George V. Psaltis
Athanasios Kalligeros
Nick Economos, Treasurer
George Cassimatis
Con Simos
1978
Eleftherios Fatseas, President
Nick Sandeman, Vice President
Mrs Violet Sandeman, Secretary
Con Andronicos, Treasurer
George Cassimatis
Con Gavrilis
Spiros Frilingos
Anthony Kalligeros
George V. Psaltis
Nick Samios
1979
Eleftherios Fatseas, President
Nick Sandeman, Vice President
Con Andronicos, Treasurer
Petros Coroneos
Con Gavrilis
Peter Kalligeros
George Cassimatis
Spiros Frilingos
Nick Samios
Nick S. Samios
Arthur Sklavos
1980-1981
Emmanuel Cassimatis, President
John Tzannes, Vice President
Peter Calligeros, Secretary
Nick Economos, Treasurer
Petro Coroneos
Con Andronicus
Con Mavromatis
Emmanuel Cordatos
Con Gavrilis
Nick Sandeman
Nick S. Samios
John Calligeros
Con Simos
Nick Samios
1982-1983
George Vardas, President
Mrs Chrissa Vlandis, Vice President
Victor Kepreotis
John Tzannes, Secretary
Theodore Simos
George Cassimatis, Treasurer
Spiro Tzannes
Peter Andrew
Raymond Calligeros
Nick Cominos
Peter Calligeros
Peter Vanges
1984-1985
Peter Vanges, President
Victor Kepreotis, Vice President
John Tzannes, Treasurer
Mrs Tina Andrew, Secretary
Raymond Calligeros
Miss Matina Cassimatis, Assistant Secretary
George Cassim
Jim Coroneos
Arthur Gerakiteys
Mrs Violet Sandeman
Theodore Simos
George Vardas
Petro Coroneos
1986
Peter Vanges, President
Peter Tzannes
John Mallos
John Notaras
Spiro Cavalinis
Jim Coroneos, Vice President
Miss Matina Cassimatis
Miss Patricia Sofios
Mrs Violet Sandeman, Treasurer
Miss Christine Sophios
Mrs Tina Andrew, Secretary
Petro Coroneos
1987
Jim Coroneos, President
Mrs Robyn Cassimatis, Secretary
Miss Christine Sophios
Miss Patricia Sofios
Peter Tzannes
Mrs Tina Andrew
Petro Coroneos
Mrs Violet Sandeman, Treasurer
Paul Dracakis
Spiro Cavalines
John Mallos
Peter Vanges
1988-1989
Jim Coroneos, President
Emmanuel Cassimatis, Vice President
Mrs Robyn Cassimatis, Secretary
Minas Raissis, Treasurer
George Giaouris
Con Raissis
Peter Cassimatis
Charles Comino
Mrs Violet Sandeman
Miss Christine Sophios
Miss Patricia Sofios
Peter Comino
1990
Peter Vanges, President
Peter Comino
Miss Marina Cassimatis
Con Mavromatis
Jim Samios
Miss Christine Sophios, Secretary
Peter Tzannes
John Mallos
Mrs Violet Sandeman, Treasurer
John Sophios, Vice President
Paul Dracakis
Jim Coolentianos
1991-1992
Peter Vanges, President
John Sophios, Vice President
Mrs Violet Sandeman, Treasurer
Mrs Mary Kindis
Con Mavromatis
Peter Comino
Jim Samios
Miss Christine Sophios
Peter Tzannes
Paul Dracakis
Jim Coolentianos
Con Karedis
1992-1993
PAUL DRACAKIS, President
C. KAREDIS
C. SOPHIOS
C. MAVROMATIS
P. TZANNES
J. COULENDIANOS
V. SANDEMAN
P. VANGES
M. KINDIS
P. COMINO
1993-1994
JOHN SOPHIOS, President
JIM COMINOS
PETER TZANNES
GEORGE GIAOURIS
CON KAREDIS
JIM COOLENTIANOS
ANNA DELAGRAMMATIS
THEO CASSIMATY
JOHN SOPHIOS
PETER COMINO
SIMON DELAGRAMMATIS
MATINA COMINO
1994-1995
PETER COMINO, President
POPPY CARDOMATIS
THEO CASSIMATY
ANGELO ANDREW
ANNA DELAGRAMMATIS
CHRIS CARDOMATIS
PATRICIA SOFIOS
PETER J. COMINO
VIOLET SANDEMAN
CON KAREDIS
MATINA CASSIMATIS
PETER THOMAS
PETER GERAKITEYS
ANTHONY COMINOS
SIMON DELAGRAMMATIS
VIOLET SANDEMAN
CON KAREDJS
POPPY CARDOMATIS
THEO CASSIMATY
1995-1996
PETER J. COMINO, President
PATRICIA SOPHIOS, Secretary
VIOLET SANDEMAN, Treasurer
ANGELO ANDREW
POPPY CARDOMATIS
THEO CASSIMATY
ANTHONY COMINOS
SIMON DELAGRAMMATIS
PETER GERAKITEYS
CON KAREDIS
PETER THOMAS
1996-1997
PETER COMINO, President
MICHAEL MALLOS
ANGELO ANDREW
PETER THOMAS
PETER GERAKITEYS
CON KAREDIS
VIOLET SANDEMAN
SIMON DELAGRAMMATIS
POPPY CARDOMATIS
CON KAREDIS
THEO CASSIMATY
1997-1999
GEORGE VARDAS, President
THEODORE SIMOS, Vice President
PETER THOMAS, Treasurer
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, Secretary
MICHAEL MALLOS
EMMANUEL VARIPATIS
ANGELO ANDREW
ANTHONY KANARIS
JIM CONOMOS
GEORGE GIAOURIS
BILL VAKAS
SPIRO TZANNES
1999-2000
GEORGE VARDAS, President
GEORGE GIAOURIS, Vice
President
SPIRO TZANNES, Treasurer
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, Secretary
MICHAEL MALLOS
PETER THOMAS
THEO POULOS
JIM CONOMOS
THEODORE SIMOS
ANTHONY KANARIS
EMMANUEL VARIPATIS
ARTHUR VELLISS
2000-2001
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
MICHAEL MALLOS, Vice
President
ARTHUR VELLISS, Vice President
PETER THOMAS, Treasurer
ANASTASIA PROTEY, Secretary
GEORGE POULOS
CATHERINE ECONOMOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
2002-2003
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
MICHAEL MALLOS, Vice President
ARTHUR VELLISS, Vice President
PETER THOMAS, Treasurer
GEORGE POULOS, Secretary
CATHERINE ECONOMOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
KATHY SAMIOS
2004-2005
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
MICHAEL MALLOS, Vice President
GEORGE POULOS Secretary
IRENE FAROS
ELENI MALANOS
CATHERINE ECONOMOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
PETER CALLIGEROS
KATHY SAMIOS
GEORGE VARDAS
EMMANUEL CASSIMATIS
MARIA MALLOS
2004-2005
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
MICHAEL MALLOS, Vice President
GEORGE POULOS Secretary
CATHERINE ECONOMOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
KATHY SAMIOS
ELENI MALANOS
2006-2008
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
KATHY SAMIOS Vice President
JOHN KEPREOTES Treasurer
GEORGE POULOS Public Relations Officer
GEORGE VARDAS Cultural Officer
THEO POULOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
MICHAEL MALLOS,
GEORGE CAPONAS
ANGELO NOTARAS
SPIRO COOLENTIANOS
GEORGE GIAOURIS
2009-2010
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
MICHAEL MALLOS, Vice President
SPIRO COOLENTIANOS Secretary
GEORGE GIAOURIS Treasurer
GEORGE POULOS Public Relations Officer
GEORGE VARDAS Cultural Officer
THEO POULOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
KATHY SAMIOS
GEORGE CAPONAS
WILLIAM SUMMERS
ANGELO NOTARAS
2010-2012
VICTOR KEPREOTIS, President
KATHY SAMIOS, Vice President
SPIRO COOLENTIANOS Secretary
GEORGE GIAOURIS Treasurer
GEORGE POULOS Public Relations Officer
GEORGE VARDAS Cultural Officer
THEO POULOS
ESTHER CALLIGEROS
ANGELO NOTARAS
JOHN FARDOULIS
MICHAEL MALLOS
KALIE ZERVOS
The attention of the committee of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia was for many years focused on giving assistance to the needy, both in Australia and on the island, as well as providing opportunities for Kytherians to meet and socialise. The feast of Myrtidiotissa received special attention with a dinner and a dance organised every year on the first Sunday after 24th September. The desperate needs of those left on the island after World War I and II absorbed all available funds for many years. Meetings of the committee of the Kytherian Brotherhood were held in private homes, shops and later in the offices of the Hellenic Club in Sydney.
In 1955, personal conflicts divided the Kytherian community and two different organisations existed in NSW for a short period. Commonsense and pressure from influential Kytherians convinced both parties that the Kytherian community could not survive divided. To everyone’s satisfaction, both parties united their efforts and one Kytherian Brotherhood again prevailed.
Realising the long-term needs of the Brotherhood, committees were wise enough to purchase two adjoining properties on Anzac Parade, Kensington, for later use as a headquarters and functions centre. To become more financially secure, later committees purchased seven shops in the West Fairfield shopping complex. The general feeling was that the Brotherhood had secured its future. The location of the properties at Kensington was perfect for the needs of the Brotherhood.
Everything seemed to be progressing well, and on the cover of the 1971 Kytherian Ball Programme, the plans for a Kytherian House were revealed. The committee published in the same Ball Programme detailed plans of the project with this message from the President Emmanuel Sklavos:
"We draw your attention to the picture on this programme. The picture is the architect’s preliminary plans of the proposed building to be called Kytherian House and erected on a block of land at Anzac Parade, Kensington. This block of land has on it two large houses which have been purchased by the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia. You have to look at it very carefully and believe with all your soul’s vigour that this plan, which today is just a dream may be in the near future a reality. You have also to believe that what looks rather impossible for one person can be possible for many people. The starting point was the purchase of the suitable piece of land on Anzac Parade, a surface of 11,478 sq.ft., for the value of $104,000.
When you will be invited to contribute or to lend to the Brotherhood for the realisation of the dream, don’t hesitate. In the beginning we are going to build the first two floors. By doing this we will secure a hall for our balls and recreation rooms for our children in a clean Greek Australian environment. The newcomers will be taught English and their assimilation to this hospitable country will become easier.
By helping the Brotherhood you are helping yourself, you are helping your children, and you are helping Australia to acquire good citizens.
Finally you will feel proud seeing the Kytherian House standing majestically and don’t forget where there is unity there is strength".
It was unfortunate that, due to obstacles put forward by the local council to the development of the Kensington properties, the idea was abandoned and alternatives were sought. The 1973 committee decided to appoint a building committee that was authorised to search for properties suitable to accommodate the needs of the Brotherhood. In 1974 the committee’s attention was directed towards rendering assistance to the establishment of a retirement village on Kythera. On 1st August 1976, an extraordinary meeting was called and members were asked to consider the purchase of a property at 61-65 Regent Street, Chippendale (in the inner Sydney area). The motion was put and after lengthy discussion, it was carried. Although this motion appeared on the record as unanimous, it was to trigger a bitter division in the Kytherian community of Sydney.
On 17th August 1976, at a general meeting, the motion was put to dispose of all the Brotherhood’s assets in order that the purchase of the Regent Street property be financed. The motion was carried. The result of this decision was open conflict and constant disagreements amongst the members and the alienation of a large number of loyal Brotherhood supporters. A legal dispute over constitutional matters between members of the Brotherhood contributed to the further deterioration of both support and morale.
Despite all of the above, the committee had reached the point of no return, and on 17th September 1976, the amount of $29,000 was paid as deposit on the property at Chippendale. The money was lent to the Brotherhood by the late Nicholas Lourantus. With the legal dispute still in progress, the difficulties in the purchase of the new building and the lack of interest by many of the Brotherhood’s members, the first meeting was held at Kythera House in Chippendale on 20th March 1977. At that meeting members agreed that they had to carry on regardless, hoping that the situation would soon change for the better.
In order to generate the necessary income to repay the $150,000 loan, to make interest payments and to carry out the needed repairs, the committee decided to establish the Kytherian Social Club on 9th July 1978. This naturally demanded further expenditure in order to secure a liquor licence. At a general meeting on 24th June 1979, it was reported that although the alterations to the third floor had been completed, the liquor licence had yet to be issued.
The President spoke at length on all the problems facing the Brotherhood. After hgated and lengthy discussion, it was decided to appoint a fundraising committee to secure desperately needed cash to ease the difficult financial predicament that the Brotherhood faced. By 17th February 1980, the committee was forced to consider the leasing of available space in Kythera House in order to pay the ever-increasing amount of interest due. At an extraordinary meeting on 30th April 1980, members were told of the serious financial problems and rumours of foreclosure were circulating. The committee was forced to consider the sale of the first floor. It was thought at the time that this would provide some financial relief. Unfortunately, many Kytherians had made up their minds not to support the newly established social club and ignored many of the activities organised at Kythera House.
The eventual sale of the first floor served only to postpone what everyone considered as the only solution, that is, the sale of Kythera House. The committee of 1982-83 consisting of young, energetic and well-educated Kytherians made every effort to overcome the problems besetting the Kytherian community. After lengthy and careful consideration, the committee of 1982-83 had no alternative but to suspend the activities of the social club.
It can be argued that although this was the only correct decision under the circumstances, it alienated loyal members who supported the social club and its activities. With the closure of the social club, the entire building was now vacant and no income was forthcoming other than that generated by a few functions held outside Kythera House. Pressure from the bank was mounting as the increasing bank interest had brought the total amount owing to over $100,000. The committee called yet another extraordinary meeting and the sale of Kythera House was discussed. The involvement in the discussion of persons never before involved in the affairs of the Brotherhood resulted in the appointment of a fundraising committee with the task of securing the entire outstanding amount ($130,000) within six months.
The appointed committee of 1984-1986, working closely together with the fundraising committee, succeeded in raising the required amount and repaid the total amount owed to the bank, the interest and all the outstanding unpaid accounts. With the morale of members now on the increase and with the outstanding success of family nights organised at Kythera House, the Brotherhood once again had the opportunity to feel secure and optimistic about the future.
The leasing of all of the remaining areas except the third floor generated enough income to carry out badly needed repairs to the building. By the end of 1986, not only had the committee met all of its obligations but it had saved the amount of $95,000 so that members could be reimbursed for amounts loaned to the Brotherhood. At a dinner held at Kythera House in 1988, members were appropriately thanked for their generous assistance towards the association.
In 1989, an unfortunate legal dispute with a major tenant of Kythera House cut off regular income, and signs of new disputes and dissatisfaction reappeared. An offer to sell Kythera House for the amount of $3.5 million was not disclosed to the members at the time.
The committee appointed for 1990-1991 on taking over, turned its attention to the ongoing legal proceedings that had cost the Brotherhood well over $40,000. With one floor leased, the court case successfully defended, and the recoupment of monies owing to the Brotherhood, the situation once again was promising. The need for definite planning and re-orientation of the Brotherhood’s goals was obviously very urgent. Attempts were ma,de to jolt the interest of the members without any success.
Financially, by the end of 1991, the Brotherhood was in the position to consider relocating to new premises better equipped to handle the needs of the association. This motion was put to the Annual General Meeting with the intention of steering the Brotherhood in the direction of a definite programme by which future committees should be guided. At that meeting the President attempted to direct the attention of the Kytherian community to the uncertainty of the years to follow, as the ideas, needs and beliefs of the new generation of Australian Kytherians appeared to be divergent from the goals, values and purposes of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia as defined in its constitution.
Despite the troubled history of Kythera House, it is a fact that the Brotherhood has the unencumbered possession of a substantial building in a good location in Sydney. This should provide a financial basis for further development of Brotherhood aspirations in the years ahead.
As well, the Brotherhood has been most successful in organising and promoting, over many years, social functions which range from small cultural meetings to truly grand balls and dances at which numbers from four hundred to more than one thousand people attend. Particularly important are such occasions which have resulted from the efforts of the Brotherhood’s “Younger Set” and the Ladies Committee. These assisting committees of the Brotherhood have been extremely successful and this augurs well for the future of the Kytherian community in Sydney.
There is no doubting that the life and personal achievement of the Kytherians in Australia is a story full of success and accomplishments that is a sound guarantee of the future of the Kytherian Brotherhood of Australia as it undergoes a period of transformation. It should not be long before a rejuvenated Brotherhood emerges to continue to serve Australians of Kytherian descent.
