Tracing Our Earliest Roots in Adelaide: Before the Church, Before the Halls, Just Us on Hindley Street

Source: State Library of South Australia, B 6142

Clubs, coffee, and the first quiet steps of our people in this city.

There are photographs that simply show a street, and then there are those that carry the beginning of a story. This image, taken on 25 September 1931 on the north side of Hindley Street, just 50.5 yards west of Rosina Street, belongs to the second kind. Preserved in the archives of the State Library, it captures more than buildings. It captures a moment when a community was only just finding its feet.

A Modest Scene, A Deeper Story

At first glance, everything seems ordinary. A one storey building to the left, soon to be demolished later that very year. A bicycle resting at the kerb. The gentle movement of a working city street.

Yet within that modest façade, something far more meaningful was taking shape.

If you look closely, you’ll notice the words “Rose of Athens Club” painted across the windows, and beside it, the “Panellinion Club.” Simple names, perhaps, yet full of life and meaning. These were far more than just rooms. They were gathering places for Greeks in Adelaide, a small but determined community of fewer than a hundred souls, quietly carving out a place for themselves in a distant land.

A Community Taking Shape

The timing is no coincidence.

Just one year earlier, in 1930, the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia had been formally established. That single fact tells us much. By the early 1930s, our people were no longer passing through. They were settling, organising, and beginning to stand together.

What we see in this photograph is part of that first awakening. Not grand, not official, but real. A community beginning to gather, to speak its language, and to hold onto what mattered.

Before the Church Bells Rang

In those years, before a permanent church stood, these humble rooms carried a deeper weight.

They were places where Greek was spoken without hesitation, where news from the village travelled from mouth to mouth, where a man could sit, breathe, and feel, even for a moment, that he was not so far from home.

You can almost see it. A table, a few chairs, a strong coffee poured. Cards on the table. Voices rising and falling, stories, laughter, worry, hope. In every sense, these were early kafeneia in spirit, whether they carried that name or not.

Could This Be Among the First?

So the question comes naturally.

Could this have been the first Greek kafeneia in Adelaide?

The answer does not come loudly, but it is there in the details. The year, 1931. The organised club names. The closeness to the founding of the Community. All point to something important, something foundational.

A Street of Contrasts

To the right stands the more ornate two storey West’s Coffee Palace, proud and decorative, a reminder of the wider Adelaide of the time.

But it is the simpler building to the left that draws the eye in a different way. Not for its looks, but for what it held. A handful of people, a shared language, and the quiet beginnings of something that would grow far beyond those walls.

The Next Great Step

Within a few short years, the next milestone would follow.

In 1936, the foundations were laid for Adelaide’s first Greek Orthodox church, the Church of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. By 1938, when the community numbered around a hundred, it was consecrated. With it came not only a place of worship, but a true spiritual and cultural home for the community.

Seen this way, the Hindley Street clubs belong to that precious chapter just before. A time when everything depended on small rooms, shared tables, and the strength of those who gathered there.

A Quiet Beginning That Still Speaks

This photograph asks us to pause and look again.

Before the church, before the halls, before the names we know so well, there were places like this. Quiet rooms on Hindley Street. A few of our own. A language carried carefully. A memory kept alive. A hope held tightly.

If you have heard stories of the Rose of Athens Club or the Panellinion Club, or if these names stir something in your family, we would love to hear from you.

Because it is in these small, humble beginnings that the true story of our community first took root.

Από τα βουνά της Λακωνίας ως τ' αστέρια της Αυστραλίας: Η οδύσσεια του καθηγητή Ανδρέα Κορωνιού

Τον μεγάλωσε η γιαγιά του. Του έλεγε συνέχεια να γίνει κάτι παραπάνω από τον μέσο όρο. Αυτό τον οδήγησε από τη Σπάρτη, χωρίς να ξέρει λέξη αγγλικά, στο να ηγείται της διαστημικής επανάστασης της Αυστραλίας.

Στον κόσμο των δορυφόρων και της διαστημικής τεχνολογίας, ο καθηγητής Αδρέας Κορωνιός είναι μια τεράστια προσωπικότητα, διευθύνων σύμβουλος του SmartSat CRC στην Αυστραλία, ένας εθνικός ηγέτης που οδηγεί τη χώρα προς τ' αστέρια. Κι όμως, η απίστευτη πορεία του ξεκίνησε από τα πιο ταπεινά μέρη: ένα μικρό χωριό στα βουνά της Λακωνίας. Εκεί, σε ηλικία μόλις δύο ετών, τον άφησαν στα χέρια της γιαγιάς του, μιας γυναίκας που η σοφία της έγινε η πυξίδα όλης του της ζωής.

Πώς φτιάχτηκε ένας Σπαρτιάτης

Γεννήθηκε στις 5 Δεκεμβρίου 1954. Το όνομά του είναι Ανδρέας Κορωνιός. Μεγάλωσε μέσα στη φτώχεια, ένα από πέντε αδέρφια σε ένα φτωχό χωριό της Λακωνίας. Στα δύο του χρόνια, οι γονείς του έφυγαν δήθεν για να βρουν δουλειά στην Αθήνα, αλλά δεν ξαναγύρισαν ποτέ.

Ο ίδιος λέει: «Με μεγάλωσε η γιαγιά μου και συνέχεια μου έλεγε ότι πρέπει να γίνω κάποιος καλύτερος από τον μέσο όρο. Αυτό ήταν η πυξίδα μου».

Η αντοχή του, αυτή η σπαρτιατική επιμονή που βγαίνει από τα βουνά της Λακωνίας, χτίστηκε από νωρίς. Στην εφηβεία του, βασικά τα έβγαζε πέρα μόνος του. Κατάλαβε ότι η φτώχεια και οι λίγες ευκαιρίες στην Ελλάδα μετά τον πόλεμο δεν του άφηναν περιθώρια για μέλλον. Όταν πέθανε η γιαγιά του, στις αρχές της δεκαετίας του ’70, έκοψε τον τελευταίο του δεσμό με την πατρίδα. Τότε, σε ηλικία 17 χρονών, πήρε την απόφαση που καθόρισε τη μοίρα του.

Αναχώρηση για την «Τυχερή Χώρα»

Με λίγη πίκρα και πολύ φιλότιμο, μπήκε στο θρυλικό πλοίο των μεταναστών «Πατρίς». Αυτό το καράβι έκανε 91 ταξίδια μεταξύ 1959 και 1975, κουβαλώντας ελπίδες από τη Μεσόγειο στην Αυστραλία. Για τον Ανδρέα, που ουσιαστικά ήταν ορφανός, δεν ήταν απλώς ένα ταξίδι πάνω από τον Ινδικό Ωκεανό, ήταν ένα άλμα στο άγνωστο. Έφτασε στη Μελβούρνη τον Δεκέμβρη του 1971. Δεν ήξερε ούτε μια λέξη αγγλικά, δεν τον περίμενε κανείς, δεν είχε σπίτι να πάει.

Ο ίδιος λέει με σεμνότητα: «Δεν έκανα τίποτα παραπάνω απ' ό,τι έκαναν όλοι οι Έλληνες μετανάστες που πάλευαν και επέμεναν για να τα καταφέρουν».

Γίνεται Αυστραλός

Η αλλαγή ήταν δύσκολη, αλλά αποτελεσματική. Ενώ άλλοι μετανάστες δούλευαν σε εργοστάσια ή φάρμες, εκείνος διάλεξε διαφορετικό δρόμο: μπήκε στον αυστραλιανό στρατό. Έκανε εντατική εκπαίδευση, βρήκε πειθαρχία και δομή, και παράλληλα πήρε τον δρόμο για την υπηκοότητα. Τη μέρα στρατιωτικά καθήκοντα, τη νύχτα διάβαζε αγγλικά με μανία για να ξεπεράσει το γλωσσικό εμπόδιο.

Μια αθλητική ζημιά τον ανάγκασε ν' αλλάξει πορεία. Στράφηκε από τη σωματική δουλειά στο μυαλό. Ρίχτηκε στην ακαδημαϊκή ζωή με την ίδια ορμή. Πήρε πτυχίο ηλεκτρολόγου μηχανικού, μετά ασχολήθηκε με την πληροφορική, έκανε μεταπτυχιακό, πήγε και στην Αμερική για ειδίκευση. Το πιο εντυπωσιακό; Αυτό το παιδί που ήρθε με άδεια χέρια πήρε διδακτορικό από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Κουίνσλαντ και έγινε επιστήμονας πληροφοριακών συστημάτων.

Ανέβηκε βαθμιαία στην ακαδημαϊκή ιεραρχία, έγινε αναπληρωτής καθηγητής στο Κουίνσλαντ, τον πήραν στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Νότιας Αυστραλίας, όπου έμεινε δεκαπέντε χρόνια ως επικεφαλής της Σχολής Πληροφορικής και Μαθηματικών, και τελικά έγινε κοσμήτορας.

Φτάνει τ' αστέρια

Σήμερα ο καθηγητής Κορωνιός ηγείται του SmartSat CRC, μιας κοινοπραξίας 270 εκατομμυρίων δολαρίων με πανεπιστήμια και αμυντικούς εταίρους, που θέλει να εκτοξεύσει την Αυστραλία στην παγκόσμια διαστημική οικονομία. Με δική του ηγεσία, δουλεύουν πάνω σε αυτόνομα διαστημόπλοια, κβαντικά στρατιωτικά συστήματα επικοινωνιών, ακόμα και στο πρώτο αυστραλιανό ρολόι σε τροχιά.

Είναι επίσης Ομότιμος Καθηγητής στο Πανεπιστήμιο της Νότιας Αυστραλίας, Fellow της Αυστραλιανής Εταιρείας Πληροφορικής και Διακεκριμένος Ομιλητής της ACM. Τα ερευνητικά του ενδιαφέροντα περιλαμβάνουν ποιότητα δεδομένων, διακυβέρνηση πληροφορίας και στρατηγική ανάλυση. Έχει ιδρύσει ερευνητικά εργαστήρια, υπήρξε αρχισυντάκτης διεθνούς περιοδικού και έχει κάνει συμβουλευτική σε Αυστραλία και Νοτιοανατολική Ασία. Είναι μέλος της Διεθνούς Ακαδημίας Αστροναυτικής για τον καθοριστικό ρόλο του στον αυστραλιανό διαστημικό τομέα.

Γυρισμός στην πατρίδα

Παρόλο που κατέκτησε καινούριους κόσμους, δεν ξέχασε ποτέ τον παλιό. Σε αντίθεση με πολλούς μετανάστες που αφομοιώνονται και αφήνουν πίσω την πατρίδα, ο Κορωνιός έκανε την προσφορά προς την Ελλάδα βασικό πυλώνα της καριέρας του.

Συνεργάστηκε συστηματικά με την ελληνική πρεσβεία στην Αυστραλία, τον δήμαρχο Σπάρτης και το Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών, δίνοντας υποτροφίες σε υποψήφιους διδάκτορες και φέρνοντας σε επαφή ελληνικές νεοφυείς επιχειρήσεις με παγκόσμιους διαστημικούς παίκτες. Τον Οκτώβριο του 2024, το SmartSat CRC υπέγραψε μνημόνιο συνεργασίας με το Ελληνικό Κέντρο Διαστήματος, και τον Οκτώβριο του 2025 φιλοξένησε την ελληνική υφυπουργό Απόδημου Ελληνισμού στην Αδελαΐδα για να ενισχύσει τους δεσμούς μεταξύ προγονικής κληρονομιάς και σύγχρονης καινοτομίας. Λέει χαρακτηριστικά: «Το να δώσω πίσω στην Ελλάδα είναι προτεραιότητα για μένα. Θέλω να κάνω κάτι για τον τόπο μου».

Εκτός από την τεχνολογία, ο καθηγητής Κορωνιός επηρεάζεται από την αρχαία φιλοσοφία της πατρίδας του, τον Στωικισμό, και εφαρμόζει τις αρχές του στην ηγεσία και τις ηθικές του αποφάσεις.

Μήνυμα για τη νέα γενιά

Ο καθηγητής Κορωνιός συχνά σκέφτεται πόσο απίθανη φαίνεται η διαδρομή του. Θυμάται ότι ως παιδί είχε τεντώσει σύρματα στο χωριό για να φτιάξει έναν τηλέγραφο με έναν φίλο του. Δεν φανταζόταν τότε ότι αυτή η παιχνιδιάρικη περιέργεια θα προμήνυε μια καριέρα που εκτοξεύει δορυφόρους.

Λέει στα νέα παιδιά: «Ο καθένας μπορεί να ασχοληθεί με το διάστημα ή με τις θετικές επιστήμες. Αρκεί να έχει όρεξη να δουλέψει πραγματικά και να επιμένει. Εγώ ήρθα από ένα μικρό χωριό της Ελλάδας. Το να ηγούμαι μιας ομάδας σε αυτόν τον τομέα ήταν το τελευταίο πράγμα που θα ονειρευόμουν ποτέ».

Από το ορφανό παιδί της Λακωνίας στον ηγέτη μιας τεχνολογικής επανάστασης στην Αυστραλία, η ιστορία του είναι ένα μάθημα για το πνεύμα του μετανάστη: ότι η πιο δυνατή πυξίδα είναι ένα ψίθυρο της γιαγιάς να γίνεις καλύτερος, το πιο σκληρό εμπόδιο είναι ένα ταξίδι με πλοίο προς το άγνωστο, και ο δρόμος για τ' αστέρια δεν είναι στρωμένος με χρυσάφι, αλλά με ατόφια, αλύγιστη επιμονή.

From Sparta's Hills to Australia's Stars: The Odyssey of Prof. Andy Koronios

He was raised by his grandmother. She told him to become better than average. That compass took him from Sparta with no English to leading Australia's space revolution.

In the world of satellite technology and space innovation, Professor Andy Koronios is a towering figure, the CEO of Australia’s SmartSat CRC, a national leader driving the country's ambitions among the stars. Yet, his extraordinary journey began in the most unassuming of circumstances: a small village in the hills of Sparta, Greece, where as a two-year-old boy, he was handed over to the care of his grandmother, a woman whose wisdom would become the compass for his entire life.

The Making of a Spartan

A grandmother's whisper to be better

Born on December 5, 1954, Andreas Koronios entered a world of hardship. He was one of five siblings in an impoverished region of southern Greece. In a heart-wrenching turn of events when he was just two years old, his parents left their children behind in Sparta, ostensibly to seek employment in Athens, but they never returned.

"My grandmother raised me, and she always used to tell me that I need to become someone better than average. This to me has been my compass," Prof. Koronios reflects.

This Spartan resilience, the tenacity born from the rocky hills of Laconia, was forged early. By his teenage years, he was effectively fending for himself, realising that the poverty and limited opportunities of post-war Greece offered little chance for a future. When his grandmother passed away in the early 1970s, the last tie that bound him to his homeland was severed, and the young man made a decision that would define his destiny.

Leaving for the "Lucky Country"

At the age of 17, carrying little more than grief and an unstoppable ambition, Andreas embarked on a voyage that mirrored the hopes of tens of thousands of Greeks before him. He boarded the legendary migrant ship, the Patris, a vessel that made 91 voyages bringing hopeful souls from the Mediterranean to the shores of Australia between 1959 and 1975.

"The Patris was a vessel that carried all their hopes and dreams," one historian later noted of the liner that holds a special place in the history of the diaspora. For the nearly-orphaned teenager, it was not just a physical journey across the Indian Ocean but a leap into the complete unknown. Arriving in Melbourne in December 1971, he found himself in a land where he did not speak a single word of English, with no family waiting for him, and no home to go to.

"I did nothing more than all the Greek migrants who tried hard and persisted to do better," he says, modestly attributing his drive to the widespread migrant ethos.

An Australian in the Making

The transition was brutal but effective. While many migrants worked in factories or fields, Andy Koronios had a different strategy: he joined the defence forces. Enlisting in the Australian Army, he completed intense military training, a period that provided him with structure, discipline, and citizenship pathways. During the day, he performed military duties; by night, he devoured English lessons, determined to shed the linguistic barrier that held him back.

A sports injury eventually changed his trajectory, forcing him to look beyond physical labour toward the power of the mind. He threw himself into academia with the same ferocity he had applied to his training. He earned an electrical engineering degree, branched into IT, completed a master’s degree, and travelled to the United States to deepen his expertise. Perhaps most impressively, this boy who arrived with nothing went on to earn a PhD from the University of Queensland, becoming a scholar in Information Systems.

Rising through the academic ranks, he became an associate professor at the University of Queensland before being recruited to the University of South Australia. There, he spent fifteen years as the Head of the School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences, eventually becoming the Dean of Industry and Enterprise.

Reaching for the Stars

Today, Prof. Koronios leads the SmartSat CRC, a $270 million consortium of universities and defence partners aiming to catapult Australia into the global space economy. Under his leadership, the organisation is working on everything from autonomous spacecraft and quantum-secure military communications to Australia's first orbiting space clock.

Andy is also an Emeritus Professor at the University of South Australia. He is a Fellow of the Australian Computer Society and a Distinguished Speaker of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). His research interests span data quality, information governance, and strategic analytics, areas where he has established research labs, served as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Information Quality, and consulted extensively across Australia and Southeast Asia. He has also been honoured as a member of the International Academy of Astronautics for his pivotal role in the Australian space sector.

The Return to the Homeland

Despite conquering new worlds, Andy Koronios never forgot the old one. Unlike many immigrants who assimilate and leave the motherland behind, Koronios has made the "giving back" to Greece a central pillar of his career.

He has worked systematically with the Greek Embassy in Australia, the Mayor of Sparta, and the University of Patras, offering scholarships to PhD students and fostering collaborations between Greek start-ups and global space players. In October 2024, his SmartSat CRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hellenic Space Centre, and in October 2025, he hosted Greece’s Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad in Adelaide to deepen the bonds between ancestral heritage and cutting-edge innovation. "Giving back to Greece is a priority for me. I want to do something for my home country," he states.

Moreover, beyond the technology, Andy is influenced by the ancient philosophy of his homeland, Stoicism, applying its principles to his leadership and ethical decision-making.

A Message to the Next Generation

Prof. Koronios often reflects on the implausibility of his journey. He recalls stringing wires across his village as a child to build a telegraph with a friend. He had no idea that this playful curiosity foreshadowed a career leading satellite launches.

"Anyone can be involved in the space industry or in STEM. Have the willingness to really work and be persistent," he encourages. "I came from a little village in Greece, and leading a group of people in this area was the last thing I ever dreamed of."

From the orphaned son of Sparta to the leader of a technological revolution in Australia, his story serves as a testament to the migrant spirit: that the strongest compass is a grandmother's whisper to be better; the toughest obstacle is a ship voyage into the unknown; and the path to the stars is paved not with gold, but with sheer, unyielding persistence.

Vale George Rozaklis (1949-2026)

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of George Rozaklis, who departed this life on Monday, 13 April 2026, in Adelaide, aged 76.

Born in Karitsa, Laconia, on 3rd September 1949, George left his village at the age of 24 in search of a better future, arriving in Australia on 30 December 1973. His wife, Roula, joined him in March 1974, and together they began life in their new homeland.

They settled in Forestville, where they raised their family, Dimitri, Katerina, Matoula and Theodoros, with love, care and hard work. George first worked in factories, though his heart remained with the land. He later farmed strawberries and Brussels sprouts in the Adelaide Hills and, through persistence and dedication, realised his dream of owning his own property in Whites Valley.

George was a man of quiet generosity and steady character. He gave freely of his time and effort to the Pan-Laconian Society of South Australia and the Karitsa Community, contributing in a manner that was constant, sincere, and without fanfare. Alongside Roula, he built a life shaped by resilience, love and gratitude, always maintaining a deep connection to his homeland.

He will be dearly missed by his family, relatives, fellow villagers, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

George is survived by his beloved wife Roula, his children, and his cherished grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, 21 April 2026, at 2.00 pm at the Church of St George, Thebarton. Interment will follow at Centennial Park Cemetery. Coffee will be served afterwards at the Pan-Laconian Family Centre, 24 Aldridge Avenue, Plympton Park.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.

May his memory be eternal.

The Art of Loom Weaving Preserved in Geraki

By Angelos Angelidis
Eleftheros Typos
14 April 2026

“I have been weaving since the age of twenty, nearly half a century. By 2020, I was the last weaver in the village. The craft was on the brink of disappearing.”

In the heart of Laconia, where the slopes of Mount Parnon meet history, Geraki stands as a living beacon of culture.

Yet behind the village’s stone-built charm, a quieter and more troubling reality had been unfolding in recent years. The art of weaving, a vital means of survival and expression passed down through generations for millennia, had come perilously close to extinction. By 2020, the situation had reached a critical point. In a village once renowned for its weaving, only a single active weaver remained. Quite literally, the craft was saved at the eleventh hour.

The story of its revival began with the concern of the villagers themselves. Sixty-seven-year-old Chrysoula Stamatopoulou, a weaver and now an instructor at the Weaving Centre, told Eleftheros Typos: “I was born and raised in Geraki. I have been weaving since I was twenty, nearly half a century. By 2020, I was the last weaver in the village. The craft was at risk of vanishing.” This realisation sounded the alarm. The Cultural Association of Geronthres did not stand by. It approached the Laconia Regional Authority, seeking a structured, long-term solution rather than a simple grant. The response was both swift and meaningful. With funding from the Region of the Peloponnese, the support of the Municipality of Evrotas, which provided the premises, and in collaboration with the Parnon Development Organisation, the experimental “Weaving Instruction Unit” was established in 2021.

Its success has been remarkable. “To date, more than eighty people have been trained, including five men,” notes Mrs Stamatopoulou, highlighting that men now taking up the loom reflects a broader social shift and a renewed respect for craftsmanship, not merely as domestic work but as a viable profession. Geraki’s reputation has since spread beyond Laconia. Trainees from Portugal, France and England have travelled to the village to learn the craft of the upright loom. Particularly striking is the case of an Australian of Greek heritage who, after completing his training, returned home and now weaves and sells his own creations, carrying the Geraki tradition to the other side of the world.

What sets Geraki apart globally is its use of the upright, or vertical, loom. This is not simply a tool but one whose form has remained largely unchanged since antiquity. Depicted in Egyptian wall paintings over 3,500 years old and in Byzantine manuscripts such as the Book of Job, the upright loom has found its last stronghold in Geraki. Even the construction of new equipment for the Weaving Centre became an act of revival in itself. Local carpenters and blacksmiths were enlisted to build the looms and traditional combs, ensuring that the knowledge of making the instrument would not be lost alongside the weaving technique. On the upright loom, the weaver works seated, while the warp is set vertically around two horizontal beams.

Geraki’s kilims are handwoven rugs distinguished by their intricate floral and geometric patterns. Traditionally, the yarns, wool sourced from local flocks, were dyed using natural pigments from Mount Parnon, such as melegos for black and walnut husks for brown.

The Cultural Association of Geronthres and local bodies now aim to establish a Weaving Museum and to fully document and preserve this tradition. Since 2022, collaboration with the Stavros Niarchos Foundation centres at UCLA and Simon Fraser University has opened new avenues for research, ensuring that this ancient craft not only survives but continues to evolve.

Heat, Heritage and Home: Karitsiotes Gather Beneath the Hackberries of Goodwood Park

“In 36-degree heat and deep summer shade, a small park in Goodwood became, once again, the living heart of Karitsa.”

The sun blazed with the fierce intensity only an Australian summer can bring, the mercury climbing to 36 degrees, yet Soutar Park in Goodwood was alive from early on with laughter, voices and the aroma of barbecues. Under the shade of the great hackberry trees, Karitsa folk, young and old, gathered as they do each year, continuing a tradition that stretches back decades, back to when the first villagers stood on this very spot, keeping the heart of their ancestral village alive in their new adopted home.

Karitsa itself was once a close-knit community of some 450 people, subsistence land tillers cum olive growers cum sheep and goat herders, nestled on the foothills of the Parnon mountains in Laconia, Greece. Today, the village numbers barely 220 permanent residents. Yet here in Australia, particularly in and around the suburb of Goodwood, the number of Karitsa’s descendants now far exceeds the population of the village itself, a powerful reminder of migration, resilience and the enduring pull of shared roots. 

The grills were fired up, tables laid with care, and volunteers moved among the guests, tending to every detail with patience and warmth. Children ran between the trees, laughing and chasing one another, while the oldies, with their thoughts drifting back to the village, exchanged handshakes, embraces and stories from long ago. Every smile, every gesture, every burst of laughter seemed to form a bridge between past and present, bringing the community’s shared memory vividly to life.

The event was honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Unley, Mr Michael Hewitson, accompanied by Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Tsokas, and his wife. Their attendance conveyed a clear message of respect and recognition for the long-standing and vibrant relationship between the local council and the Karitsa community.

In his address, the Mayor highlighted the significant contribution made by Karitsiotes and Greek migrants more broadly to the development of the area, stressing that gatherings such as this are far more than social occasions; they are living beacons of memory and culture. As his words echoed beneath the hackberries, the baton was passed to the Karitsa Community President, who linked the memory of the past with plans for the future.

Australian-born Michael Malavazos shared in the warmth of the day, holding in his hands the manuscript of a forthcoming book to be sponsored by the City of Unley.

“The Karitsa Gathering is not simply a reunion,” he said. “It is the soul of Karitsa here, so far from our ancestral village. Thanks to our volunteers, Karitsa remains united and alive. This year, with the support of the City of Unley, that spirit will take on a lasting form through the publication of a book marking the Community’s 40th anniversary, featuring profiles and photographs of the first seventy families from the village who settled in Australia.”

His words wrapped the atmosphere in a gentle nostalgia, paving the way for the forthcoming book and for the next generation of the community. Particularly heartening was the presence of third- and fourth-generation Karitsiotes, children and grandchildren of the first migrants, born and raised in Australia yet deeply rooted in their ancestral village. Alongside them were friends of the community, fond of the village, adding yet more warmth, laughter and life to the gathering.

And as the sun began to dip behind the hackberry trees, the community, descendants of a once-thriving mountain village now smaller in number at home than abroad, quietly renewed its promise: to come together, to remember, and to keep Karitsa alive, for their children, their grandchildren, and the generations still to come.

Photographs courtesy of Eleni Koutsoviti Mavraidi and Peter Katsambis

Long-Distance Conversations from Athens: Chrysoula Melissinakis and Panagiotis Mavraidis on the Voice of Greece

 “Language, memory and music: the threads that keep us connected across oceans.”

While currently in Athens, Pan-Laconian Society members Chrysoula Melissinakis and Panagiotis Mavraidis were invited to share their story on Greek national radio. On 15 December 2025, they appeared on “Kouventes Makrines” (Long-Distance Conversations), broadcast by the Voice of Greece, offering listeners a thoughtful and heartfelt account of their journey from Greece to Adelaide and their ongoing commitment to Hellenism abroad.

Broadcast from the studios of the Voice of Greece, Chrysoula and Panagiotis spoke candidly about the decision they made 14 years ago to migrate to Australia, a decision they say they have never regretted. Their reflections touched on the challenges of beginning a new life, the opportunities they encountered, and the enduring importance of Greek language and culture in their everyday lives.

A central theme of the discussion was Greek-language education in Adelaide. Chrysoula, who teaches Greek to both children and aduls, spoke about the joy and responsibility of passing on the language, and about education as a living link between generations and homelands.

They also spoke with pride about the Greek Museum of Adelaide, which they founded five years ago. The museum has become a focal point for community memory and cultural storytelling, and they shared their current efforts to secure a permanent home for the collection, an important next step in ensuring its future.

The conversation also highlighted Melodia Adelaide, the Greek-language radio station created and run by Panagiotis. Through music, interviews and community programming, Melodia Adelaide continues to connect Greek Australians with each other, with Greece, and with the wider Hellenic world.

The interview serves as a powerful reminder of the vitality of the Greek diaspora and the impact of individuals who quietly and steadily build cultural bridges across continents. We warmly congratulate Chrysoula Melissinakis and Panagiotis Mavraidis for representing our community with insight, generosity and pride.

Members and friends are encouraged to listen to the full interview online, available via the Voice of Greece on-demand platform:
https://vog.ert.gr/ondemand/kouventes-makrines-me-ti-xrysoula-melissinaki-kai-ton-panagioti-mayraeidi-apo-tin-adelaida-15-12-25/

Counting Coins by Day, Hunting History by Night: A Treasurer’s Remarkable Find

It seems that when club treasurer Stelios Hagias is not diligently counting our pennies, he takes great delight in delving into old—very old—newspapers. On this occasion, he has unearthed what he believes to be the very first recorded Orthodox baptisms in Birmingham, Alabama. The clipping comes from The Birmingham Age-Herald of Friday, June 22, 1900, and offers a fascinating glimpse into the earliest days of organised Greek Orthodox life in the city.

This 1900 newspaper article documents what appears to be the first Greek Orthodox baptisms performed in Birmingham, Alabama, marking a foundational moment for the city’s early Greek community. It highlights the role of Father Dorotheo in uniting scattered Greek immigrants, establishing organised worship, and preserving Orthodox traditions at a time when no Greek church yet existed. The report offers rare insight into early immigrant religious life, inter-church cooperation, and the cultural presence of Greeks in the American South at the turn of the 20th century.

Original Article (Reprinted in Its Entirety)

Date-Line Attribution

Source: The Birmingham Age-Herald
Date: Friday, 22 June 1900
Place of Publication: Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Editorial Note

This article is reproduced in full from The Birmingham Age-Herald and reflects the language, style, and perspectives of its time. It is presented here for its historical value, offering a rare contemporary account of the early Greek Orthodox presence in Birmingham and the establishment of communal religious life among Greek immigrants at the turn of the 20th century.

 FATHER DOROTHEO THE GREEK PRIEST
Administered Baptism to Two Children Yesterday.
AT CHURCH OF THE ADVENT

The Ceremony First Performed Here Since Eastern Priest Was Called to this CountryBaptisms Next Sunday.

The Rev. Father Dorotheo, a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church of Constantinople, is here as the guest of Mr. C. K. Caralis, and has been in charge of the Greek and Russian population in the city. Since the Rev. Father Dorotheo has been here he has succeeded in organizing the Greeks, who have been scattered over a large extent of the city, and has united them into a common brotherhood. He is administering his church work, in which he includes sermons, and has been giving to his Greek brethren religious advice, which cannot be neglected by the many from Chicago or elsewhere who are here.

The first baptismal ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Dorotheo yesterday afternoon at the Church of the Advent. The two children were the sons of Mr. and Mrs. William Boutsick of Jackson. The father of the children is one of the substantial and wealthy Greeks of the city. He is a member of the Greek Orthodox church, most of whom were present at the ceremony, which was one of unusual interest to them. A large congregation were assembled at the Methodist church, The Rev. Father Dorotheo, who was the officiating priest, wore the peculiar vestments of the Eastern church of all silk done in fine needlework, and having on his head a crown, the same as the Russian priest wears.

Father Dorotheo wore the sacerdotal robes, which were of dark blue silk with embroidery of gold. The vestments were the same as those worn by the Russian priests, except that the Greeks wear a crown. Father Dorotheo, in administering the baptismal ceremony, used the Greek ritual. The names of the children were Emmanuel and Mary.

The custom, which is a holiday of the Greek church, is to have the ceremony in a church of the Greek church. But, in this case, on account of the Greek church being now in course of erection, the pastor had to procure a place elsewhere in which to administer the rites. As he was used to the forms of the service, he succeeded in performing the same with great ease and in the presence of the large congregation, he having been assisted by another priest.

The sponsors were Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Zannas. The priest made no mistake and performed the ceremony in the same way as if he had been in a church of his own. He spoke of the customs and usages of the Greek Orthodox church, and he promised to give those present the first information of the Greek church, and he would begin to give the sermon from next Sunday, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, in the Methodist church, in which he has been officiating.

A large dish of water, consecrated by the priest, was one of the striking features of the service. A bottle of oil, also that the priest had consecrated, was used. The priest, taking a small quantity of oil, anointed the little ones, firstly the forehead, then the mouth, the ears, the hands, the feet, and after that the back, and then again the breast, and after that the feet. The oil was put on with the end of his little finger, as it is a custom of the Greek Orthodox church.

After anointing the children and before immersing them, the priest placed a chain and a cross on the neck of each, this being the custom of the Greek church. Then he immersed them in the water and then covered them with a white cloth, and this he did in the presence of the parents and the sponsors. The ceremony was a very interesting one, and the church was well filled. Many people were present, among whom were some of the most substantial Greeks in the city. Father Dorotheo wore the priest's crown and all his sacerdotal robes and carried a prayer book, all according to the Greek Orthodox ritual.

The reception of the children into the Greek church was done by anointing them with the holy water, and the names given them were Emmanuel and Mary.

Father Dorotheo is quite scholarly, and he has a large experience in church work in Greece, after having been professor in the Greek college at Sparta.

He has been appointed by the Greek Orthodox church in Constantinople, and has power to organize and administer to his Greek brethren in the churches where he officiates. He will administer baptism next Sunday to a number of other children expected to be there, as he has been appointed by the Greek church.

Στο προσκήνιο η Σούζι Κούρλα: Ανερχόμενο αστέρι της αυστραλιανής γυμναστικής

«Στιγμές σαν κι αυτή μας θυμίζουν τι πραγματικά σημαίνει ο Σύλλογός μας — κοινότητα, προσφορά και καρδιά».

Ο Παλλακωνικός Σύλλογος έδωσε δυναμικό «παρών» στο απογευματινό γεύμα με κατσίκι και μακαρονάδα, σε μια όμορφη συνάντηση γεμάτη κόσμο, χαμόγελα και καλή διάθεση. Ήταν μια μέρα που ανέδειξε για άλλη μια φορά το πνεύμα της συλλογικότητας και της γενναιοδωρίας που μας ενώνει. Στο επίκεντρο βρέθηκε η στήριξη της 17χρονης Σούζι Κούρλα, που ετοιμάζεται να ανοίξει τα φτερά της για να εκπροσωπήσει την Αυστραλία στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες τον ερχόμενο χρόνο.

Με τη λαχειοφόρο αγορά και τις προσφορές των μελών, μαζεύτηκε το καθόλου ευκαταφρόνητο ποσό των 2.000 δολαρίων — μια έμπρακτη αγκαλιά στήριξης που φέρνει τη Σούζι ένα βήμα πιο κοντά στο μεγάλο της όνειρο.

Η Σούζι, κόρη των μελών του Συλλόγου Λάμπρου και Βίκυς Κούρλα, δεν είναι πια άγνωστη στον χώρο της Γυναικείας Ενόργανης Γυμναστικής. Από μικρό κορίτσι με πείσμα και αφοσίωση, κατάφερε να ξεχωρίσει ως ένα από τα πιο ελπιδοφόρα νέα ταλέντα της Αυστραλίας. Η προσπάθειά της ανταμείφθηκε με τη συμμετοχή της στην εθνική ομάδα της χώρας, η οποία τον επόμενο χρόνο θα περιοδεύσει στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες, με προπονήσεις και αγώνες στο Τέξας, το Σικάγο και το Λας Βέγκας.

«Είμαστε βαθιά ευγνώμονες στον Παλλακωνικό Σύλλογο Νότιας Αυστραλίας και σε όλα τα μέλη του για τη γενναιόδωρη στήριξη», δήλωσε η Βίκυ Κούρλα. «Είναι μεγάλη μας χαρά και τιμή να ανήκουμε σε αυτή την υπέροχη κοινότητα. Σας ευχαριστούμε από καρδιάς».

Όπως συμβαίνει με όλους τους αθλητές που κυνηγούν μεγάλα όνειρα, έτσι και η διαδρομή της Σούζι απαιτεί σημαντικούς πόρους. Τα χρήματα θα βοηθήσουν να καλυφθούν έξοδα μετακίνησης και διαμονής, συμμετοχές σε αγώνες, προπονήσεις, εξοπλισμός, στολές και ασφάλιση — όλα όσα χρειάζονται για να μπορεί να σταθεί στο υψηλότερο επίπεδο.

Και το ταλέντο της Σούζι μόνο απαρατήρητο δεν περνά. Έχει ήδη αναδειχθεί δύο φορές «Αθλήτρια της Χρονιάς στη Γυμναστική» στη Νότια Αυστραλία, το 2024 και το 2025, επιβεβαιώνοντας όχι μόνο τις ικανότητές της, αλλά και το ήθος, την επιμονή και τη δουλειά της — στοιχεία που προμηνύουν ένα φωτεινό μέλλον.

Η στήριξη του Παλλακωνικού Συλλόγου δείχνει τι μπορούμε να πετύχουμε όταν στεκόμαστε ο ένας δίπλα στον άλλον. Γιατί όταν το ταλέντο συναντά τη σκληρή δουλειά και την αγάπη της κοινότητας, οι μεγάλες ευκαιρίες βρίσκουν τον δρόμο τους.

«Η διαδρομή της αποτελεί έμπνευση για όλους μας», τόνισε η πρόεδρος του Παλλακωνικού Συλλόγου Ντίνα Χούσου. «Η Σούζι είναι ζωντανό παράδειγμα του τι μπορεί να καταφέρει ένα παιδί με πάθος, αφοσίωση και στήριξη».

Εμείς, από τη μεριά μας, θα την καμαρώνουμε σαν δικό μας παιδί και θα της στέλνουμε τις ευχές μας όπου κι αν αγωνίζεται, καθώς θα εκπροσωπεί με περηφάνια όχι μόνο την Αυστραλία, αλλά και το πνεύμα της δικής μας κοινότητας. Δεν μπορούμε παρά να χειροκροτήσουμε τη Σούζι, περήφανη απόγονο του ηρωικού Κοσμά, του θρυλικού Γερακίου και, ακόμη λίγη πινελιά από τη μικρή Καρίτσα.

Πάμε Σούζι, πάμε!

 

Spotlight on Suzi Kourlas: Our Rising Gymnast

“Proud moments like this remind us what our Society is all about — community, generosity and heart.”

The Pan-Laconian Society came together in full force at today’s “goat and pasta” afternoon, celebrating community spirit and generosity. The highlight of the day was supporting 17-year-old Suzi Kourlas on her journey to represent Australia in the United States next year.

Thanks to a dedicated raffle and donations from members, the event raised an impressive $2,000, helping Suzi take another step toward her dream.

Suzi, daughter of club members Lambros and Vikki Kourlas, has already made a name for herself as one of Australia’s brightest young talents in Women’s Artistic Gymnastics. Her dedication from a young age has earned her a spot on the Australian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Tour 2026, where she will train with world-class coaches and compete in Texas, Chicago and Las Vegas.

“We are so thankful to the Pan-Laconian Society of SA and all its members for their generous support,” said Vikki Kourlas. “Proud to be part of this amazing community. Thank you!”

Like many elite athletes, Suzi’s journey requires significant support. Funds will cover travel, accommodation, competition fees, training, equipment, uniforms and insurance, all of which are essential for her to perform at her best.

Suzi’s talent is undeniable. She has been named “Levels Athlete of the Year” in South Australia twice, in 2024 and 2025, exemplifying skill, dedication and a competitive spirit that promises a bright future on the national and international stage.

The Pan-Laconian Society’s support demonstrates the power of community, showing that when talent meets hard work and generous backing, amazing opportunities become reality.

“Her journey is an inspiration to us all,” said Pan-Laconian president Dina Houssos. “Suzi is proof of what can be achieved with passion, dedication and support.”

We look forward to following Suzi as she takes on the world stage and proudly carries our community’s spirit with her.

Pan-Laconian Flashback: Memories Unearthed from Koula’s Album

“A nostalgic window into the elegant dances and tight-knit spirit that defined a generation of Pan-Laconians.”

 

A recent browse through Koula Tsin’s photo album has uncovered two terrific newspaper clippings from the late 1980s and early 1990s. They offer a nostalgic window into the formal life of the Pan-Laconian Society in those days.

The first clipping shows four families: Tasos Piliouras, George Pazios, Nikos Papadopoulos and Dimitrios Tsintziniotis. They are photographed at a “Leonidas” dance, seated at their dinner table, impeccably dressed and clearly enjoying the night. The scene reflects a long-held tradition of community celebration.

The second cutting, dated 8 July 1989, captures another dance from that era. This black-and-white treasure gem features a lively group of well-dressed guests gathered around a table, sharing conversation, drinks and good company. Together, the two clippings highlight the strong sense of camaraderie and the elegant style that defined those decades.

These small pieces of history are a lovely reminder of a vibrant social calendar and the tight-knit spirit that shaped our community. If you have your own memories of the “Leonidas” dances or any other formal events from that time, we would love to hear them.

Vale Angelis Hagias (1939-2025)

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Angelis Hagias, who departed this life in the early hours of Friday, 28 November 2025, in Adelaide, at the age of 86.

Angelis was born on 20 July 1939 in Karitsa and spent his childhood in Karitsa and Vlachioti, Laconia. At the age of 25 he migrated to Australia, arriving on 22 February 1965, where he built his life and raised his family.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St George, Thebarton. Interment will take place at Centennial Park Cemetery.

His loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of his family, relatives, fellow villagers, and all who had the honour of knowing him.

He is survived by his wife, Alkithea, his five children, his seven cherished grandchildren, and his first great-grandchild.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.

May his memory be eternal.

Discovering “Parnonas and Its Villages”: A Quiet Treasure on the Internet

A quiet corner of the internet brings memory, landscape and village life together with remarkable warmth, offering Laconians everywhere a window into the mountain rhythms and shared heritage of Párnonas.

From time to time, a corner of the internet offers something unexpectedly rich, a place where memory, landscape, and village life gather with real warmth. One such corner is the Facebook page “O Párnonas ke ta Choriá Tou”, meaning “Parnonas and Its Villages” (hosted at facebook.com/Mariskevis). Though rooted in the Arcadian village of Mari and guided largely by Sotiris Skevis, president of the local cultural association, its reach extends far beyond the mountain itself. For Laconians and their descendants scattered across the world, the page offers a vivid introduction to a neighbouring region whose history, nature, and rural rhythms so often echo our own.

A Mountain That Shapes Two Worlds
Parnonas, the long ridge that stradles Arcadia and Laconia, has shaped the character and fortunes of communities on both sides. Its villages, built of stone, set on terraces and surrounded by forests of fir, pine, chestnut and oak, feel instantly familiar to anyone with roots in the Laconian countryside. Life here has always followed patterns that Laconians recognise: seasonal work, respect for the land, close ties with animals and fields, and a quiet but enduring sense of community.

 

What the Page Brings to Life
The Facebook page captures these threads with affection and great attention to detail. Through the lens of Sotiris Skevis, readers encounter Mari under a luminous full moon, olive trees that have stood for more than a thousand years, forgotten forest paths linking one village to the next and glimpses of everyday life in Karitsa, Kosmas, Agios Petros and other mountain villages. The posts do not seek to impress with polish or spectacle. Instead, they feel like a local friend guiding you to the corners that matter, the light that falls just so across a winter field, the church steeple half hidden among branches, the bend in the path that leads to childhood memories.

 

Why It Matters to Laconians Everywhere
For Laconians living far from the homeland, the page has a particular charm. Its images and small stories evoke a world that feels at once familiar and new. The stone houses, the narrow lanes and the mountain monasteries echo the landscapes many of us grew up with, while the neighbouring villages of Parnonas add a fresh perspective. For the younger generations abroad, who may know Laconia mainly through family tales or brief visits, the page provides a gentle doorway into the wider cultural and geographical landscape of our region.

Even those who live permanently in Laconia may find the page unexpectedly rewarding. It serves as a reminder that the Peloponnese contains not only its famous ancient sites and beaches but also a quieter wealth. These include centuries old olive groves, old roads shaped by the feet of shepherds and travellers, and small settlements where time seems to pause. What emerges is not a picture of tourism but the more intimate story of a landscape lived in, tended and remembered.

A Digital Kafenio for the Diaspora
In an age that often reduces heritage to brief slogans and hurried impressions, “O Párnonas ke ta Choriá Tou” offers a slower and more sincere experience. It acts as a kind of digital kafenio where one can pause, reflect and recognise the ties that bind village communities across time and geography. For Laconians and their families whether in Karitsa, Adelaide, Melbourne or anywhere further afield the page is well worth a visit. It reminds us that the mountains and villages of our wider region still speak clearly to those willing to listen.

Bust of Christos Karvounis Erected in Sparti as History Sets the Record Straight

The recent unanimous decision of the Municipal Council of Sparti to honour Dr Christos Karvounis invites us to revisit the extraordinary story of one of Laconia’s bravest sons. We are republishing the following article by Giorgos N. Dermatis especially on this day, 26 November, the 82nd anniversary of the execution of the 118 heroes of Monodendri, so that our community, especially younger generations, can rediscover the remarkable moral strength Karvounis showed in his final moments. In a time when memory can be simplified or distorted, this account reminds us why accuracy and integrity matter. It is both a tribute and a timely act of remembrance.

  

By Giorgos N. Dermatis

Doctor of History, Université catholique de Louvain-la-Neuve

“In 1943, the world heard the news of the 118; today, we restore their voices to their rightful place in history.”

The Municipal Council of Sparti has unanimously decided to erect a monument in honour of Dr Christos Karvounis, the Spartan physician and hero who was among the 118 distinguished sons of the city executed by the German Nazi occupiers on 26 November 1943 at Monodendri.

This act reflects great credit upon the Council. By erecting the bust of Karvounis, crafted by the Spartan sculptor Dimosthenis Tzanakos, in a prominent location upon a marble pedestal, accompanied by a properly documented historical inscription, without alteration or omission, the Council offers to the people of Sparti, to Greece, and to the wider world a contemporary example of patriotism, integrity and humanity, worthy of Sparti’s Leonidean legacy.

It was much the same in 1943, when the radio stations of the Allied nations in the Middle East broadcast across the world the news of the execution of the 118 heroes by the German Nazis.

Christos Karvounis, fluent in German, declined the offer of exemption from the firing squad. With the nobility of his spirit shining through, he asked instead that the youngest of the four Tsivanopoulos brothers be spared. This, too, Hitler’s forces refused. Who can fathom the anguish of their grief-stricken mother, another “Mad Mother” in the sense of Solomos, who, for a long time afterwards, would each morning and evening lay out and fold away her sons’ beds as though they were still alive?

It is worth recalling the most credible historical testimony, that of K. A. Glentis, a theology teacher in Sparti from 1939 to 1946 (2nd ed., Athens 1979, p. 69). Glentis was an ear-witness to a German non-commissioned officer and aide to the Garrison Commander, who, on the very day the 118 were buried, confided the following to him while living in the requisitioned room of Glentis’s home:

“The Doctor—a great patriot. Germany granted him his life, the General said. He refused. One child from four brothers, he said, let him live. No, the German officer replied. This old man then, said the Doctor. Not him either, said the German. Then the Doctor cursed Germany and the Germans, and they shot him down in the face with machine-guns.”

Glentis adds: “My wife and I heard these words from the German himself, accompanied by gestures to help us understand, though in a distorted form.”

All credible historical sources confirm that Karvounis was indeed a member of the National Liberation Front (EAM) and served on the Prefectural Committee of Laconia. To omit this from the inscription would be a grave insult to historical memory. After all, Greek society and the Greek State, after 1974, definitively closed the door on division and the civil-war hostilities perpetuated by the dictatorship of 1967–1974, years that inflicted deep wounds on our country. The restoration of democratic freedoms in the Constitution of 1975, and more than fifty years of stable democratic life since then, affirmed this path. So did Law 1285/1982, recognising the National Resistance against the Occupation (1941–1944), and Law 1863/1989, lifting the legacy of the Civil War in the spirit of National Reconciliation.

Similarly, the statues of the heroic Spartan Hero Konstantopoulou, murdered for her resistance activity by the blood-stained agents of Nazism and commemorated today in Ilioupoli and Piraeus, record in both cases that she was a member of EPON, the youth organisation of EAM. And it is an honour to Sparti that its First Primary School bears her name.

In moments such as these, poetry, art at its highest, cannot but be present. From C. P. Cavafy’s “Thermopylae”:

Honour to those who in their lives
set out and guard their own Thermopylae.
Never swerving from duty;
just and upright in all their deeds,
yet with compassion and with pity;
generous when fortune favours them, and,
when they are poor, still a little generous,
still helping as much as they are able;
always speaking the truth,
yet without hatred for those who lie.

And greater honour still is due to them
when they foresee (and many foresee)
that Ephialtes will appear at last,
and the Medes will finally break through. 

Vale Diamantis Lambrakis (1931-2025)

The Pan-Laconian Society mourns the passing of Diamantis Lambrakis, a founding member whose exceptional dedication and service helped shape the organisation from its earliest days. Diamantis served with distinction on the Executive Committee, offering steady leadership, wise counsel, and an unwavering commitment to community. His legacy remains deeply woven into the life and spirit of our Society.

Born in Pantanassa, Lakonia, on 26 October 1931, Diamantis passed away in Adelaide on 9 November 2025, aged 94 years.

Beloved husband of Koula.
Loved father and father-in-law of George and Antonia; Angelo and Denni.
Cherished Pappou of Kerrie and Lambro, Adam and Stavroula, David and Jo, Ben and Kate, Chad and Amanda, Cassandra and Ryan, Leigh and Stonie, and Jo and Adam.
Adored Great-Grandfather of nine great-grandchildren.
Loved brother and brother-in-law of Helen; Sofia and Christoforos; and Argiro and Telli (dec).

He will be lovingly remembered by family and friends in Australia and Greece.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.

May his memory be eternal.

Pallaconian Brotherhood of Victoria Commemorates OXI Day

 

 

“Though miles apart, we remain bound by our Laconian heritage, our love for Greece, and our shared commitment to honour those who fought for liberty and justice.”

 On Saturday, 1st of November, our sister club, the Pallaconian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria, held a moving ceremony at the bust of King Leonidas in Sparta Place, Brunswick, to commemorate OXI Day and honour the unyielding courage of Greece during the Second World War.

Members of the Brotherhood, young and old alike, gathered in unity to pay tribute to the heroes of the 28th of October, 1940, those who stood firm and declared a resounding “OXI!” to tyranny and oppression. Their defiance marked a turning point in history, embodying the very spirit of freedom and resilience that continues to inspire Greek people around the world.

The ceremony featured inspiring words from President Chris Paikopoulos, Vice President Miltiadis Paikopoulos, and Youth President Dean Baziotis-Kalfas. Each spoke with passion about the enduring significance of OXI Day and the pivotal role Laconia played in Greece’s wartime struggle. Their reflections reminded all present that the values of bravery, unity, and sacrifice are not merely part of our history; they are living threads woven into our shared identity as Hellenes.

The wreath-laying ceremony brought together representatives from across the Greek-Australian community of Melbourne, including the National Union of Greek-Australian Students (NUGAS), the Pan Arcadians, the Greek Australian Cultural League, the Greek Elderly Citizens Association, the Pallaconian Youth, the Pallaconian Elderly Committee, the Kalymnian Youth, and Councillor Helen Politis, Deputy Mayor of Merri-bek City Council. Their collective presence stood as a testament to the strength, respect, and enduring unity of our community.

From Adelaide, we send our heartfelt congratulations to our Melbourne Pallaconian family for organising such a meaningful and dignified commemoration. Though miles apart, we remain bound by our Laconian heritage, our love for Greece, and our shared commitment to preserving the memory of those who fought for liberty and justice.

Long live Greece! Eternal glory to the heroes of 1940!

The First Greek Migrants in America were Laconians

Laconians were the very first Greek migrants to settle in America in 1767. They were promised the earth, but instead, unimaginable hardships awaited them.

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Republished from an article originally posted by Vasilis Stamatakos on "Lakoniki Vivliothiki" on 11th October 2025.

The article, penned by Petros Kalonaros with the original title "The First Migrants to America were Laconians – A Laconian Migration in 1767. The Journey, their Adventures," was first published in I Foni tis Lakonias newspaper on 9th December 1946.

The Lakoniki Vivliothiki is an online platform dedicated to the history, culture, and literary heritage of Laconia. It comprises rare books, archives, photographs, and articles which illuminate the region's past and present.

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The first mass migration of Greeks, and Near Eastern folk in general, to North America took place in 1767.

In 1763, the English Governor of Florida issued proclamations inviting settlers and extolling the fertility of Florida, urging anyone who wished to go and establish themselves there. Various English entrepreneurs subsequently purchased vast tracts of land in Florida, but exploiting them required labour. Other businessmen immediately appeared—in reality, they were slave traders—who undertook to bring land tillers to cultivate the land.

Among them were William Duncan and Denys Rolle, who arranged to bring indentured servants from Italy, Greece, Smyrna, and Laconia. To Laconia, they dispatched John Turnbull, a doctor by profession, but in truth, a slave trader and adventurer. Disembarking at Methoni, he set up a temporary agency and began propagating the Florida story, calling for migrants. He promised them the world: land, wages, and a good life in a marvellous climate.

Of the victims Turnbull managed to deceive, the Laconians were the majority. Many had permanently fled from Mani and Lacedaemon to Methoni, where the Turkish castle commander appeared to be rather kindly and whom the English adventurer managed to bribe in order to get permission to board his victims onto ships. News of the colonisation spread across all of Laconia, and thus many hundreds more Laconians arrived, with their wives and children, their church icons, sacred relics, and even their priests, to embark for America.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, the ships could not hold them all, and so the deceitful doctor took only fifteen hundred, whom he undertook to transport to America.

The journey was long and arduous. It took four months to reach Florida, and in the meantime, many died en route from the hardships. Upon arrival in Florida, they found other unfortunate Italians, Minorcans, and Greeks from Smyrna. All were lumped together as indentured servants to cultivate sugarcane and indigo, and were housed in wretched huts. These initial settlements formed the nucleus of the city of New Smyrna, Florida, whose founders and first inhabitants were Greeks from Laconia. The name was given because the wife of the chief agent responsible for the migration was a Greek woman from Smyrna. It was in honour of this Greek woman that the town was named New Smyrna.

The sufferings and tortures endured by these Laconians in New Smyrna, Florida, were unimaginable. They were given a piece of land with compulsory yields and fixed labour based on the system of indentured servants, or rather, the American Negroes, as described in the work Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Thus, the Laconians also suffered, and their adventures and misfortunes were chronicled by various historians, including the Frenchman Essavan in his work History of Corinth (Paris 1854), our own Kyriakos Melirrytos in his Chronology (Odessa 1836), Sathas in Turkish-Occupied Greece, as well as several Florida historians, including Williams.

According to the information gathered by these historians, the notorious doctor Turnbull, who brought these Laconians to Florida, assumed the role of overseer there and was truly their beast-tamer, or rather, their torturer. In lieu of food, he gave them one pound of maize per day for each family, and now and then, an ounce or two of pork every fortnight. And work, work without respite and without complaint, for anyone who became recalcitrant was relentlessly beaten.

So great was the misery and hunger of these unfortunate Laconians that they evoked the pity of an African Negro chief, who had settled nearby and helped them with provisions. This led to that Negro being whipped to death by the brutal Turnbull.

This situation lasted for over two years, and in 1770, the year the inhabitants of Laconia were revolting against the Ottomans, the Laconians in America in turn revolted against the brutal doctor Turnbull, their tyrant, who had brought many other assistants—'correctors'—with instructions to mercilessly whip any Laconians who did not work like dogs.

Determined to escape to Havana, they invaded the stores, looted food, and then ran to the port to seize ships. But lacking organisation and a capable leader, they were all captured, and some were sentenced to death by hanging.

A short time later, some of these Laconians and others managed to escape with their families to St. Augustine, the Governor's seat. There, they presented themselves to the Attorney General and described their plight.

Meanwhile, many other Laconians also managed to escape with their families and go to the Governor's seat, St. Augustine. A trial against Turnbull followed, and justice was rendered to these first Laconian migrants to America, most of whom settled in St. Augustine and abandoned New Smyrna, which is located further south on the eastern coast of Florida towards the Atlantic, just like St. Augustine.

The Laconians continued to live there and, thanks to their diligence and industry, acquired great wealth and formed the best society in the city, as noted by the Florida historian Williams in 1837.

The town of New Smyrna gradually declined. However, it is still there; I do not know what state it is in now or if any remnants of those old Laconian migrants still exist.

The curious thing is that right on the opposite coast, in western Florida, towards the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs thrives today—another Greek colony of sailors, sponge fishermen, and divers, most of whom are islanders from Aegina, Hydra, the Dodecanese, and other maritime parts of Greece.

There, as I understand, the life of these islanders was once so purely Greek that in the past, many would stay for years and return to Greece without having learned a single word of English.

Even today, a vibrant Greek community exists in Tarpon Springs, thanks to the "Association of Aeginitans," whose president is Mr. Emmanouil from Aegina.

Is this colony of islanders merely a coincidence in that region, or do its roots stem from that ancient Laconian settlement?

PETR. P. KALONAROS

Article by Petros Kalonaros in the newspaper I Foni tis Lakonias, 9th December 1946.

Turnbull's wife was a Greek Uniate Catholic woman from Smyrna, and he named the colony New Smyrna in her honour.