News

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea raises close to $5,000

What a fantastic "Biggest Morning Tea" we had on Thursday 17 May. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped raise close to $5,000 for the Cancer Council which included a generous donation by the Ithacan Philanthropic Society. We would also like to thank Anna Vlass who, once again, did an amazing job organising this fundraising event.

This year, we invited guests to bring along their traditional handicrafts where they were displayed for all to admire. Some of our members brought along precious, family heirlooms, others brought handicrafts that they had proudly made themselves. The intricate detail of the works was indeed phenomenal and reminded us of a much simpler time in our history where women were taught to sew, crochet and embroider by their mothers and grandmothers. It was wonderful to talk to the owners and makers of these exquisite works and learn more about how they were created.

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The IPS sponsors Greek History and Culture Seminars

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society is proud to partner with the Greeek Community to sponsor a number of seminars throughout 2018.

Of particular interest to Ithacans is the upcoming seminar “Political Power and Social Hierarchies in the Ionian State (1814-1864)” presented by Dr Katerina Bregianni on Thursday 15 March at 7pm at the Greek Centre. On Sunday 18 March, she will present again (in Greek) “The Ionian Islands in the 19th Century" at 3pm at the Greek Centre.

Greek Australian war veterans of Ithacan descent feature in a new book about the Kokoda Trail

Social member Mr Steve Kyritsis OAM, has written a new book to acknowledge the Greek-Australian men and women who served in the Kokoda-New Guinea campaign in World War II called ‘Greek Australians in the Australian Armed Forces Kokoda – New Guinea World War II’.

The focus of this book is the contribution of over 300 Greek Australians who served their country and were a part of an important and decisive event in Australia’s history known as the ‘Battle for Australia’. This book records the stories of the men involved in the battles and the names of those killed and wounded in action.

The book, which commemoratedsthe 75th anniversary of the campaign, was launched in 2017 at Queens Hall, Parliament House in the presence of special guest of honour, James ‘Jim’ Scott (Sikiotis), aged ninety-one, who was invited to attend as one of the three oldest surviving Greek Australian war veterans of this campaign. Born in Melbourne in February 1926, Jim, the eldest son of Vasili and Elpiniki Sikiotis served as a Leading Aircraftman, 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight 1944-6 and saw active service over New Guinea.

Other Greek Australians of Ithacan descent who served in the Kokoda-New Guinea campaign included in this book are:

Private Constantine Raftopoulos -Unit: 2 Australian Corps HQ
Sergeant Anthony (Tony) Rafty (Raftopoulos) – Unit: LHQ MIL HIst SECT
Leading Aircraftman Andrew Lucas – Unit: 2 Transport and Movement - Andrew later
married Jim Scott’s sister, Tase Lucas.
Leading Aircraftsman James Scott – Unit: 111 Air Sea Rescue Flight
Sub-Lieutenant James Paizis – HMAS Rushcutter
Leading Aircraftman Alex Karanges – Unit: Station Headquarters
Bombadier Andrew (Andy) Owen Paxino – Unit 2/14 Field Regiment
Private George Paxino – Unit: Army Service Corps
Staff Sergeant Harold James Paxino – Unit: 24 Infantry Battalion
Sergeant Roy Dennis Paxino – Unit: Australian Wireless Telegraphy Section
Sergeant Mervyn Stas Paxino – Unit: Australian & N.G. Administrative Unit

To order a copy, contact Steve Kyritsis:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Tel (03) 9859 3403
Mobile 0418 571 800

Profits from the sale of this book will be donated to the Hellenic RSL Sub-Branch and to the Australian Hellenic Memorial Foundation.

The IPS supports the 3XY Fronditha Care Radiothon 2018

The Ithacan Philanthropic Society is a proud sponsor of this year's 3XY Fronditha Care Radiothon Appeal to be conducted on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 March 2018.

The 2018 Radiothon will aim to raise funds towards the reconstruction of memory support units in Clayton South (50 beds) and St Albans (30 beds) which cater to the elderly with severe dementia.

Dementia is a debilatating and terminal condition that robs people of their memory and changes their behaviour irrecoverably.

Unfortunately, it is becoming so prevalent in the ageing community that demand for specialised dementia care is far exceeding supply. In the next seven years, people diagnosed with dementia will rise by 30 per cent.

Fronditha Care's new memory support units will be unique.

Designed in collaboration with Alzheimer's Australia, the units will be built to foster a calm environment, fitted with visual memory cues to help residents get around the facility.

Donations, however big or small, will directly go to helping our elders continue living with dignity.

Each donation above $2 is tax deductible and every pledge will be read live on 3XY Radio Hellas during the Radiothon and published in the Greek media.

Fronditha Care has been providing aged-care services for people of Greek and multicultural heritage for more than 40 years in Victoria and NSW.

But it has only been able to do so with the generous help of our local community.

How to make a donation

Call (03) 9552 4100 and pledge your donation

Make a cash payment directly to the National Australia Bank or Delphi Bank. Bank details are:

National Australia Bank (NAB)                       Delphi Bank
Account Name: Fronditha Care                            Account Name: Fronditha Care
BSB: 083 605                                                    BSB: 941 304
Account No: 17 639 9983                                    Account No.: 2033 72 010

Thank you for supporting this worthwhile cause.

A lovely way to end the year

Close to 200 people gathered at the annual Christmas luncheon at Merrimu on Sunday 18 December, marking IPS' last function for the year.

The atmosphere was jovial as many enjoyed mingling with fellow members and friends. Adding to the convivial mood was renowned entertainer Christos Ioannides who delighted many with his guitar, songs and unique style of entertainment.

A highlight of the luncheon was the unveling of the exquisite centenary tapestry, created by Penelope Loom's weavers. Although there were a number of weavers who contributed to the planning of the tapestry, a core group, consisiting of Toula Agrotis, Christina Barcham and Andriana Zervoulis, worked solidly for over three years stitching the tapestry. The design was inspired by the late Spiro Sofianos' artwork 'Odyssey' which featured in our centenary promotional material. It was wonderul to have Spiro's sister, Nina Mills present at the unveiling of this very special project. The tapestry will take pride of place when it is hung on the clubroom walls.

To view the photos of the annual members' luncheon, click in the Gallery here :https://ithaca.org.au/gallery.

As we close off another year, we look forward to 2018 and are excited about the events we have planned over the next 12 months. We hope to see you at our first function in 2018, the annual Ithacan Picnic at Ferny Creek Reserve on Sunday 11 February.

Finally, we wish all our members and friends of the Ithacan Philanthropic Society best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

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