President of the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’, was delighted to receive a call from The Hon. Konstantinos Vlasis, Member for Arcadia, Former Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad, requesting an audience with fellow Arcadians in Melbourne. Initiated by Mr Kotsirilos, and with the full support of the Committee, a dinner event was organised to welcome Mr Vlasis and the delegation of Greek parliamentarians visiting Melbourne in April for the anniversary and celebrations commemorating the 1821 Revolution of Independence.

An invitation was also extended to the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis, our benefactor Mr Andreas Andrianopoulos, Mr Leonidas Argyropoulos, first President of the Association, Mr Dimitris Alexopoulos President of the Panarcadian Federation of Victoria, Mr Bill Papastergiadis, President of the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), media representatives, and of course first, second and third generation member Arcadians.

Mr Vlassis expressed with pride his Arcadian heritage and together with Asimina Skondra who hails from Livadia, reflected on Greece’s debt to Arcadians and to Theodoros Kolokotronis. Both focused on the importance of a national plan for Hellenism in the Diaspora. During the evening, Evangelia Liakouli proposed the establishment of a Ministry of the Hellenic Diaspora to address the needs and future of Greek communities worldwide, while Theodora Tzakri emphasised the necessity of a National Strategic Plan for Hellenism, based on the program developed by the Center for the Greek, Thessaloniki.

Mr Kotsirilos explained how the Panarcadian Association was founded by the early migrants who started arriving in Melbourne from Arcadia, Greece in the early 1950s. He spoke about how Arcadian leaders of the time, moved by their zeal to preserve and promote their local traditions, and by a sense of fidelity and solidarity proceeded to put their ideas into effect as early as 1957. On 13th September 1959 the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne and Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’ was born. 

On 11th September 1985 the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne ‘O Kolokotronis’ purchased at auction the historic building located at 570 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, known as the Loco Hall. It was built in 1914 by the Australian Federation of Locomotive Engineman as their union’s trade hall at an approximate cost of 10,000 pounds. At a recruiting meeting held at Loco Hall to encourage union membership on 13^th July 1915, the Argus paper reported that amongst the guest speakers was the then Attorney General, the same man who attended the official opening in 1914. Within 3 months Billy Hughes
was Prime minister of Australia 1915-1923. We are honoured that our building had a Prime Minister come through its doors.

Mr Kotsirilos ended the night by presenting to the Greek Parliamentarian delegates ‘The Children of Pan – Arcadians in Australia’, a book on the Arcadian immigration to Australia, written by Professor Anastasios Tamis.

It was classic movie night at the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’ on Friday 5 April 2024 with the screening of Zorba the Greek, the Oscar winning movie by Michael Cacoyannis.

Guest of honour Peter Yiannoudes, the pioneer of Greek cinema in Victoria, took the audience on a journey the evolution of Greek cinema theatres during the early years in Melbourne, and spoke about the first screening of the movie Zorba the Greek.

The President of the Association, George Kotsirilos, was proud to emphasise that the Association’s building, the historical Loco Hall which is now known as ‘The Arcadian,’ stands proudly in Victoria Street, and is now attracting patrons from all generations among the members of the Association and the broader Greek and Australian communities.

The Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’ was back on deck during the weekend of 24 – 25 February 2024 at the Antipodes Lonsdale Street Festival.

Committee members worked tirelessly to prepare the stall with Arcadian and Greek products for sale and to decorate the stall with flags, banners and maps to showcase our Arcadian heritage.

This year the Association reached out to the younger members of the community, creating a beautifully illustrated colouring book for children, which was published by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

On Sunday 4 February 2024, Arcadians were joined by members of our Greek community to honour the memory of Theodoros Kolokotronis, who died 181 years ago on 4 February 1843.

Theodoros Kolokotronis is considered the ultimate symbol of the Greek War for Independence and was also a key contributor in shaping the new Greek state.

The memorial service at Greek Orthodox Archiepiscopal Church of our Lady “Axion Esti”, Northcote, was followed by a wreath laying ceremony. Floral tributes were presented by Emmanuel Kakavelakis, Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Dimitris Alexopoulos, President of the Panarcadian Federation of Australia, George Kotsirilos, President of the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria and Anthea Sideropoulos, Vice President of the Greek Community of Melbourne & Victoria.

There were representatives from 12 other Greek Community organisations who laid wreaths,including the Hellenic RSL Subbranch, Australian Greek Ex Servicemen Association,
Australian Hellenic Memorial Melbourne, Federation of Greek Elderly citizens clubs of Melbourne and Victoria, Thessalonician Association “The White Tower”, Federation of Messinian Organisations of Melbourne and Victoria, Society of Kalamata 23rd March Melbourne, Pammesinian Brotherhood of Melbourne and Victoria ‘Papaflessas’, Pan Gortinian Brotherhood, Greek-Australian Cultural League, Hellenic Writers Association of Australia, Oakleigh Grammar.

The wreath laying ceremony was followed with a speech by the Consul General who elaborated on aspects of Theodoros’ childhood and spoke about his faith. Mr Kakavelakis congratulated all for keeping alive the memories and honouring Kolokotronis and our Arcadian history.

Following the commemoration ceremony, attendees were invited to the building of the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’, in North Melbourne. A luncheon was served to guests in the Kallisto Room, and speeches followed by Mr Alexopoulos and Mr Nick Piperis.

Fellow Arcadians arrived on New Year’s Eve with family and friends to enjoy another wonderful celebration and welcome in 2024 at ‘The Arcadian’.

DJ Alekos Katsifaras entertained the crowd with traditional and modern dance throughout the night.

Guests who made their way to the top floor of the building were treated to the wonderful NYE fireworks display by the City of Melbourne.

On the 202nd anniversary of the Liberation of Tripolitsa, and for the first time in many years, the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’ held their annual commemorative dance in the Ballroom at the Association’s building in North Melbourne.

The Association was proud to welcome a new generation of Arcadians to the celebration and open its doors to future generations.

The Greek Community of Melbourne dance group performed traditional dances which were accompanied by the music of an orchestra playing traditional instruments. The young dancers also went around the tables to invite guests to join in the dancing.

The first generation of Arcadians in attendance were especially impressed with this year’s event, indicating that it was a was a great success and saying they were very happy that so many people of all generations were there.

Saturday 23 September 2023 marked the 202nd anniversary of the Liberation of Tripolitsa on 23 September 1821. The battle was led by Greece’s national hero, Theodoros Kolokotronis, and is considered a key event towards the final liberation of Greece from the Ottomans.

Arcadians world-wide commemorate this day in honour of those who fought courageously for our freedom.

As is the case each year, the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’ and the Panarcadian Federation of Victoria arranged the annual commemoration of the Liberation of Tripolitsa. A memorial service and a wreath laying ceremony were held at the Greek Orthodox Archiepiscopal Church of our Lady “Axion Esti”, Northcote, on Sunday 17 September 2023.

After the wreath laying ceremony, refreshments were served in the church’s function room. Speeches followed from the President of the Association, Mr George Kotsirilos, President of the Federation, Mr Dimitris Alexopoulos and Greece’s Consul General in Melbourne, Mr Emmanuel Kakavelakis.

Outside the night air was crisp and cold, but the atmosphere inside was sizzling hot, as Arcadians and friends dined and danced at the Mid-Winter party hosted by the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria ‘O Kolokotronis’. Guests enjoyed the amazing belly dancing floorshow and loved the plate smashing performance. Opa!

On a chilly but bright and sunny day on Sunday 7 May 2023, the Panarcadian Association of Melbourne & Victoria hosted the annual Mother’s Day celebration.

Vice President Betty Dimitropoulos warmly welcomed guests and paid tribute to mothers across all generations. Betty acknowledged all the new mums, the second generation Arcadian women who are starting to become grandmothers, and the first generation heroines who left behind their families in Greece but are now rewarded with the joy of seeing great grandchildren.

A delicious lunch was provided by our resident cook Kathy and guests had a lovely afternoon catching up and sharing memories.

Each lady received a complimentary gift pack of “Melvourni” Greek coffee which was donated by George and Thalia Dadamanis.

After a three-year absence due to COVID restrictions, the 25 March 1821 Greek National Day ᾽Παρελαση᾽returned in 2023. It was held on Sunday 19 March at new location, Lakeside Stadium, 33 Aughtie Drive, Albert Park.

As always and as demonstrated by the photos, the Arcadian presence was strong and passionate. The Arcadian contingent who participated in the parade was led by President George and assisted by proud Arcadian Costas Mandylor.

The day was most enjoyed by the youngest members of the group who proudly waved their flags.