Member's Beach Picnic
Member’s Picnic at Williamstown Beach.
A fantastic way to kick start the new year. The weather prediction was for a 40 degrees scorcher so the early arrivals set up tables and chairs under the shade of the trees that adorned the picturesque gardens adjacent to the beach.
The cool southerly sea breeze kept the temperature down and made it pleasant to bask in the lush surroundings.
Greek coffee was brewing as members arrived. We thank Katerina for her delicious paximadia.
Later the bbq was ongoing with various mezedes and many brought along their fresh home grown cucumbers.
The kids had an enjoyable time flying kites and kicking soccer balls around and It's great that they were able to take a break from their phones and enjoy the fresh air and fun activities.
It's wonderful times like these that create lasting memories and enjoyable social interaction for young and old.
ΕΚΔΡΟΜΗ ΣΤΟ WILLIAMSTOWN
Ξεκινήσαμε τη νέα χρονιά με τον πιο φανταστικό τρόπο. Ενώ η πρόβλεψη του καιρού ήταν για καύσωνα, στήσαμε τα τραπέζια και τις καρέκλες μας κάτω από τη σκιά των δέντρων που κοσμούσαν τους γραφικούς κήπους, κοντά στην παραλία, όπου μας δρόσιζε το θαλασσινό αεράκι.
Ευχαριστούμε την Κατερίνα για τα λαχταριστά παξιμάδια της. Απολαύσαμε τους ελληνικούς μας καφέδες και αργότερα το bbq συνεχιζόταν με διάφορους μεζέδες.
Τα παιδιά πέρασαν ευχάριστα πετώντας χαρταετούς και παίζοντας ποδόσφαιρο, απολαμβάνοντας το πράσινο.
Είναι οι υπέροχες στιγμές σαν αυτές που δημιουργούν μόνιμες αναμνήσεις και δένουν μικρούς και μεγάλους.
Integration of Samos with Greece
On Sunday the 13th The Pan-Samian Brotherhood of Melbourne celebrated the 110th anniversary of the Integration of Samos with Greece 1912. The day started with a doxology conducted by his Grace Bishop Evmenios and father Ioannis in the holy church of Agios Dimitrios in Moonee Ponds. Followed by a celebration at the church hall
From left: Emanuel Karvelas (President of the Hellenic RSL) George Karvalas (Honorary President PanSamian Brotherhood) Ms Yidarakou and Mr Zoe Vamvakidis(representatives of the Greek consulate general) Mr Bill Papastergiadis(President of the Greek community of Melbourne) his Grace Bishop Eumenious, Mrs Helen Kalimnious(representing the Panepirotic Federation of Australia) Iraklis Vayanos(President Pansamian Brotherhood) Jim Tseros(President of the Dodecanesian Federation of Australia and President of the Kalymnian Club Melbourne)
Ms Yidarakou represented the Consulate General of Greece
Bill Papastergiadis President of the Greek Community of Melbourne
Eleni Kalimniou spoke to us about the historic special day.
Mother's Day Celebration 2022
On Sunday the 15th of May we celebrated Mother’s Day with an exquisite feast of delicious Greek food in a warm family atmosphere. There were many surprises and all the entries in the poem competition were read by the children. The band kept everyone entertained with their fantastic music and there was plenty of dancing. We also had all the mothers up in a dancing competition that was a lot of fun.
Eleni Kaliimniou was one of the winners of the pamper pamper hamper. Pictured with her grandmother Helen.
Sebastian also won a pamper hamper pictured with his grandmother Irene.
Audrey Pappos also won a pamper hamper for her mum Anerley.
Alexandra Kalimniou also won a pamper hamper for her poem.
Young Sebastian joined in with the band.
Tina Bakatsoulas winner of the Mother’s Day raffle
Lots of prizes to give out for the poem competition.
Protomagia Picnic
There were kites flying in the park and kids running around to keep them in the air. We had a great turn out of young and old.
Winners of the Easter colouring competition Sofia, Sebastian and Vivienne
BBQ time.
25th of March wreath laying at the Australian Hellenic Memorial
On the anniversary of the 25th of March Greek Independence our president Hraklis Vayanos laid a wreath on behalf of the Pan-Samian Brotherhood at the Australian Hellenic Memorial.
The 25th of March commemoration ceremony, was attended the by the Greek Consul General of Victoria, Emmanuel Kakavelakis, members of the RSL, many distinguished guests and representatives of federal and state governments, and members of Melbourne’s Greek clubs.
Greek Consul General Emmanuel Kakavelakis with our President Hraklis Vayanos
President of the Hellenic RSL sub branch Emmanuel Karvelas with our President Hraklis Vayanos.
Mother's Day Celebrations
On Sunday the 16th of May we celebrated Mother’s Day at Theio Theo restaurant. Members and friends enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon with an exquisite feast of delicious Greek food in a warm family atmosphere. Laki and Spiro kept us entertained with their fantastic music and there was plenty of dancing.
Member's Night at White Rose Receptions
On Saturday the 6th of February we held a free member’s night with live music and a five course dinner at White Rose receptions. This was our first function for 2021 now that the restrictions have eased.
Apokries 2020
6th of August 1824 Anniversary celebration
Once again this year we celebrated the anniversary of the 6th of August 1824 in memory of the brave heroes of Samos and the valiant defeat of the Ottoman naval invasion of 1824.
Με λαμπρότητα εορτάσαμε την επέτιο της σωτηρίας του νησιού από τους γενοκτόνους Οθωμανούς που θέλησαν να αποβιβαστούν στη Σάμο και να σφάξουν τους κατοίκους της. Έκτοτε το «Χριστόν Σάμον Έσωσεν τη 6η Αυγούστου 1824» αντηχεί στις καρδιές όλων των Σαμίων
Apokries Tavern Night
Australia Day Celebrations
Australia Day family picnic at Mornington was a great success this year with entertainment for young and old, free amusement rides for the kids and a fantastic fireworks display in the evening.
“Και του Χρονου”
New Years Eve Party 2019
Children's Christmas Party
Once again Christmas is nearly here, and like every other year we are organising our Children’s Christmas party. This year we are holding it on Sunday 16 December at Myuna Farm, 182 Kidds Rd Doveton 3177. This is a public community farm and there are many activities for children of all ages. Members are asked to please quote τhe Pansamian Brotherhood at the Pay Office and you will be directed to our function room.
Members and their children have free entry, while food and drinks will be provided for by the Committee, Grandparents are also wel- come to come along and enjoy the day with their children and Grandchildren, as are members who would like to enjoy spending time with the new generation of Samian’s. Entry time is 10am - 4pm. Gifts will be given to children of members under 12 yrs. of age by Santa, so please ring a Committee member to let us know the number of people attending and your child’s name by the 1st of Dec. so we can organise gifts, food and drinks. Thank you and hope to see you at this very special event.
School Holiday Program Science works.
To kick-start the April school holidays, the Committee decided to give our members and their children free entry, including the Planetarium and Lightning shows, to Scienceworks in Spotswood. This was a huge success, with both the children, ranging from the ages of 2 to 12, their parents and grandparents who attended.
The Lightning show featured high-voltage demonstrations, with awesome sparks and noise, and showed how storm clouds are affected when lightning strikes. It also demonstrated where one would be safe (or not) in a lightning strike.
The Planetarium show was also very informative and relaxing, where we all sat in reclining seats in order to see the stars and planets in our universe. To make it interesting and fun for the young ones, this show demonstrated how our seasons evolve, in a story involving two animated characters (Annie and Max).
The children had fun participating in a lot of activities, including the Neon Nature exhibit, using neon straws to make branches found in plants and trees, challenging themselves in all sporting activities and lots more.
Scienceworksis a fascinating experience for young and old, with hands-on exhibits, where everyone can participate and have fun, learning about our planet and the science behind our every-day life. A fantastic day was had by all.
We have more school-holiday activities planned for the next school holidays. Keep a look-out about these in our upcoming newsletters.
We look forward to seeing you all then.
Tour of Marysville
On the 5th March, a busload of members and friends left for a 3 day tour of beautiful Marysville and surrounds. This historic little town was wiped out in the Black Saturday fires on 7th February 2009, with only 7 dwellings standing after this ferocious fire tore through the town. It is wonderful to see how, with the help of local and international volunteers, the town has been rebuilt.
Our first stop on the way from Melbourne was the Healesville Sanctuary, with all its fauna exhibitions eg. Kangaroos, koalas, wombats and other Australian animals. We searched for the elusive Tasmanian Devil, with no luck. It must have been siesta time for the animals.
We continued on our way to our destination, The Vibe Hotel in Marysville. This beautiful hotel was built with the help of the Victorian Government and was opened on 21st April 2015 – in order to help bring tourism back to Marysville.
The next day we visited Steavenson’s Falls, just on the outskirts of town with its cascading waterfalls. The falls are a site to be seen during the day, but at night, when the falls are all lit up, they look magnificent. We also visited the Crystal Gardens shop with its display of gem stones and crystals, and Peter’s Tractor Museum. Peter was a wealth of information about the day of the big fire and the history of Marysville. He showed us meltedtractor parts, and the remains of tractors when the fire reached in excess of 1,500degrees C, melting everything in its way.
The most interesting exhibition was Bruno’s Sculptures, a gallery and garden filled with amazing and humorous sculptures, in tree-tops and throughout the garden. Bruno’s house and garden were destroyed in the fire and he has rebuilt his house and all the sculptures, all made of steel, terracotta and cement. Everyone was amazed at the beauty of the artwork and the imagination required to create this incredible display. Bruno’s garden has been voted in the top 5 tourist exhibits in Victoria.
It was recommended that we have our dinners at the Buxton Hotel, which we did. This quaint historic hotel was built in the late 1800s and serves a very good meal.
We also visited Lake Eildon and the Eildon Dam, an incredible body of water. All in all, a very enjoyable day, with everyone on the bus laughing at jokes and singing along to Greek songs.
On Tuesday morning, after breakfast we had our group photo taken and we were on our way to the Yarra Valley Chocolateria and Ice Creamery factory, to sample some delicious chocolates and ice cream, before having lunch at the Village Green. This was a most enjoyable trip, with everyone making new friends and catching up with old ones.
We thank all our members and friends for making the trip so pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable. Thanks to Helen Valsamis for organising everything.
Στης 5 Μαρτίου 2017 οργανοθυκε εκρδρομη με Μελοι και φύλους, μήναμε 3 ημέρες και 2 νύχτες στο ηστορικο Marysville, αυτή η μικρή πολη είχε καταστράφη τελιος με της φωτιές , που ονομαστικε μαύρο Σάββατο. Ειτανε θαυμάσιο που με την βοιθεια τον ντοπιον και εθέλοντες απο το εξωτερικό , η πολη ξανα χτυστικε. Η πρώτη στάση ήτανε στο Healesville Santuary, με πολλα ζώα Κανκουρο , γομπατς , Κόαλας και το διαβολάκι της Τασμανίας κρυβοτανε και δεν το είδαμε.
Συνεχίσαμε τον δρόμο για το Vibe Hotel στο Marysville , auto to ξενοδοχείο ξανα χτυστικε με την βοιθεια της Βικοριανης κυβέρνησης. Άνοιξε 21 Απρίλιο 2015 για να μπορεί να ξανα φέρει τον τουρισμό στο Marysville. Την επομενει ημέρα πυγαμε στους Stevensons καταρχτες λίγο έξω απο την πολυ, η καταραχτες ειναι πανέμορφοι την ημέρα αλλα και το βράδυ πιο ωρεα γιατη ειναι φωτισμένοι
Επισις πυγαμε σε μια μικρή επιχείριση που στεγάζεται σε ένα δωμάτιο απο ένα μεγάλο σπίτι που γλυτοσε απο της φωτιές. Εκεί πουλάγανε κρύσταλλα και διάφορες πολύτιμες πέτρες. Μέσα αυτή την φάρμα μας μίλησε ο Peter ο οποίος ειναι ηδιοκτιτης της φάρμας . Μας είπε για της μεγάλες φωτιές που αρχίσανε , και πως μπόρεσε και γλυτοσι το σπίτι , συνάμα ειτανε πολλυ ενημερωτικός με απυστευτες πληροφορίες. Μας εδείξε λιωμένα τρακτέρ και εξαρτήματα που ειτανε σχεδόν αγνώριστα γιατι η θερμοκρασία της φωτιάς έφτασε 1,500 βαθμούς λιωνοντας ότι υπειρχε μπροστα της. Η πιο ενδιαφέρουσα έκθεση ειταν του Bruno Sculptures. Με πίνακες ,αγάλματα στους όμορφους κήπους σκαλισμένα σε κάποια δέντρα γύρο γύρο στον Κύπο , το σπίτι και ο Κύπος του Bruno καταστροφικέ τελιος , τα ξανα φιαξανε με την βοιθεια απο καπιους Ροσους εθελοντές που ακούσανε για τον Bruno και ειρθανε να τον βοιθισουνε . Ολοι θαυμάσαμε την ομορφιά και την καλή τεχνική φαντασία που έχει. Ο Κύπος του Bruno ψηφίστηκε πεμπτος εκθεσιακός χορός στην Βικτόρια.
Μας συστήσανε να δειπνισουμε στο Buxton Hotel, πράγμα που έγινε , άυτο το ηστορικο Χοτελ εχτιστικε προς το τέλος του 1800 και μας σέρβιρε ώρεο φαγητό. Επίσης επισκεφτήκαμε την λίμνη Ειλντον η οποία ειναι τεράστια, τελικά περάσαμε πολλυ ωρεα, με τα αστεία, γέλια και τραγούδια στο λεωφορείο , την Τρίτη πρωί μετα απο το προινο βγάλαμε φωτογραφία ολοι μαζι και ξεκινήσαμε για το Yarra Valley Chocolateriaand ice creamery factory, να δοκιμάσουμε της σοκολάτες και παγωτό και μετα ξεκινήσαμε για μεσημεριανό φαγητό στο Village Green.
Αυτο ειτανε πολλυ ευχάριστο ταξίδι, κάναμε γνωριμίες καινούργιες , και να περάσουμε ευχάριστα με τους παλιους μας φύλους.
Τέλος τα συνχαρειτειρια μας στη Ελένη Βαλσάμης που οργάνωσε τετια ωρεα εκδρομή
New Years Eve 2016
A Night at The Risk
A great turn out for a Wednesday night. Members who braved the cold and came along to our night at the Risk were not disappointed. Nestled in the heart of Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall, Risk Bar offers amodern, stylish setting with a great atmosphere for a relaxing get together. Laki, Spiro and Yanni played their latest music even getting into some Greek dancing as the night progressed. A selection of delicious mezzedes were served by head chef Harry and the bar was kept busy all night.
Mother's Day Celebration 2016
Myuna Farm Family Day
Members and friends enjoyed a wonderful day at Myuna Farm with lots of fun for young and old.
