Eventlist

Synopsis: From the Island of Ithaca to Australia

This presentation depicts the Ithacan journey, from the Island of Ithaca to Australia (1853 onwards).

Their reasons for migrating, hardships endured after arrival, gold rush period, establishment of the cafes in Melbourne's CBD early 20th century. The seminar will explore:

• Prominent Ithacans of Melbourne.

• Establishment of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society 1916.

• The Ithacan Society's activities over the years.

• Life of a typical Ithacan family, living in the early to mid 20th century in Melbourne.

• Thoughts and strategies, activated by our society, for our survival in the 21st century going forward.

Synopsis: The Greek-Australian Cultural League of Melbourne (GACLM)

The GACLM was established in 1970 after several attempts in the 1960's to create a cultural and literary group were unsuccessful.

It is a non-profit organisation and has no religious or political affiliations. Its aims are the advancement, support and dissemination of the creative endeavours of Greek- Australian artists and writers whose work primarily reflects the confluence of the Greek and Australian cultures and contributes to the enrichment of Literature, the Visual Arts and the Performing Arts.

In pursuing these aims, the GACLM initiates, organises and participates in cultural, artistic, social and intellectual activities and debates. It also organises book launches, an annual bi-lingual literary competition, an annual art exhibition and publishes the annual bi-lingual periodical "Antipodes".

Panayiotis (Peter) Paxinos Biography

Panayiotis (Peter) Paxinos was born in Melbourne, in 1940, to Anastasios Paxinos from Ithaca, and Annie Kathleen Mangan from Scottish Irish decent. Peter grew up in Princess Hill Carlton Nth, and in 1951 travelled, with his parents and sister Spyridoula, on the steamship Cyrenia, to Ithaca Greece, attending primary school, and thereafter the Ithacan Naval College in Vathi.

He returned to Melbourne in January 1959, where he attended University High school. From there he was accepted into the school of electronics at RMIT, graduating in 1963. After graduating from University Peter worked as an electronics engineer in the television and computer industry.

In 1959 he joined the Ithacan Philanthropic Society and in 1967 he became a member of AHEPA. He later became President of both organisations.

Peter is currently the vice president of the Ithacan Historical Society, as well as the assistant secretary of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. In 2005, Peter became actively involved in the production, of the Ithacan newspaper Odysseus.

He is married to Georgia Mantas and together raised three children, and are the proud grandparents to seven grandchildren. Peter is now in retirement, and is focused on supporting his family, as well as assisting with the activities of the Ithacan Philanthropic and Historical Societies.

Cathy Alexopoulos (nee Hatjiandreou) Biography

Cathy Alexopoulos was born in Greece and migrated to Australia with her parents in 1957. She completed tertiary education in Primary and Secondary teaching.

She moved to Greece where she married Dimitrios Alexopoulos and had two children. While in Greece she worked in several schools, government, private as well as the British Embassy School in different capacities.

In 1984 she returned to Melbourne where she furthered her tertiary education gaining different degrees that enhanced her educational and administrative skills.

Simultaneously she began work at Oakleigh Greek Orthodox College as Head of the Primary school for 10 years.

Cathy has been actively involved in Greek community affairs since 1995 and has held the position of President of the Greek-Australian Cultural League since 1999.