Miss GOYANZ 2002 GREEK PRESIDENTS VISIT
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G.O.Y.A.N.Z. Greek Orthodox Youth Association of New Zealand www.goyanz.org.nz Issue No. 14 July 2002 GREEK PRESIDENTS VISIT Mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos’s state visit was a welcome intrusion into Wellington Greeks’ daily lives. GOYANZ was there all the way to bring you exclusive coverage and photos of the visit. It was an honour to all local Greeks who met the President and had a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with business leaders and politicians from Greece. Full coverage inside, starting on page 3. Mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos opens his tour with a pulsating speech to members of Wellingtons Greek Community. This was followed by a walk-a-round where the President met as many people Mr Giannis Magriotis, Greek Deputy Minister of External Affairs (right), listens to members of as he could. There is no doubt that his charm and wit won over GOYANZ on a one-to-one talk concerning the Greek youth of Wellington many local Greeks. Miss GOYANZ 2002 The annual Miss GOYANZ went without a hitch on Sunday June 2nd. Anna Lillis was crowned Miss GOYANZ 2002. A crowd of over 300 attended and were treated to an evening of music, food and entertainment. Thanks to Kerasma Band (from Melbourne) who kept everyone entertained for the evening. Special thanks to Jim Christie of Harvey World Travel, who as always, donated Miss GOYANZ first prize. Also a special mention to all those that helped on the day and to those businesses who donated goods and services including Harbour City Motor Anna Lillis (center) is the new Miss GOYANZ for 2002. Inn and Pak n’Save. Contents • Editorial & Calendar p 2 • Travel Greece p 12 • Greek Presidents Visit pp 3 & 4 • Letters to GOYANZ p 12 • Paradiso p 5 • Dear Thea p 13 • Olympic Day Celebrations p 5 • Horoscope p 13 • Message to Youth Committee p 6 • Greeks in the News p 14 • Presidents visit colour spread p 7- 9 • Sport p 15 • Miss GOYANZ p 10 • News in Brief p 16 www.goyanz.org.nz GOYANZ EVENTS CALANDER 2002 06 July Ahepa Bingo night, Odysseus Hall 03 August Annual Ahepa Dance, Flamingo’s 15 August Assumption Day - Commemorating the bodily Welcome all - its been another busy time for our association and ascent of the Virgin Mary (Panayia) into Heaven community in general. The highlight being of course the visit from 25 August Ahepa Day Church Service + lunch the Hellenic President Mr Constantinos Stephanopoulos and his entourage. It was great to see the Presidential delegation make the September Olympic Prizegiving effort from Australia to visit us here in little ole New Zealand - it October 2nd GOYANZ Baraki Night meant a lot to us. I was fortunate enough to be invited to some of the formal events and it was a great honour to enjoy the President’s 26 October U19 National Soccer Tournament in Napier - company and the opportunity to converse with members of the Labour Weekend delegation side by side was a real delight. 28 October Greek National Holiday (OXI) Others events held in June were the GOYANZ annual dance, the November Wellington Xmas Parade Olympic Day dinner and the start of the Paradiso exhibition at the December GOYANZ Childrens Xmas Party National Library. Reports on all the events are included in this issue. A point I wanted to raise, that was highlighted with the busy June Results from NZ Census taken in 2001 schedule was the lack of communication or information transfer to Greeks (including Greek Cypriots) in New Zealand by Region all parts of our community. This is not an attempt to point fingers Area Male Female Total to anyone individual, association or group but just to raise the Northland Region 18 24 42 awareness that we as a community need to do something about it. Auckland Region 225 225 450 Take for example the Presidents visit, this was not publicised very Waikato Region 36 33 69 well throughout the community. Only those close to the community knew what was going on, but others not so close, were not so Bay of Plenty Region 27 36 63 fortunate to find out in time. I think a step in the right direction Gisborne region 12 3 15 would be the role a Public Relations officer that is appointed by all Hawkes Bay Region 36 24 60 the associations and is responsible for the transfer of information to Taranaki Region 9 15 24 all community members (that are linked to a group of course), media Manawatu-Wanganui Region 33 21 54 exposure - radio and newspaper, website postings, emails whatever Wellingron Region 648 591 1239 is required to get the message across. The PR officer must be West Coast Region 0 3 3 accessible for everybody’s benefit - like an elderly person in our Canterbury Region 105 78 183 community who does not have internet access should be able to Otago Region 24 21 45 call via phone with their query. This position will be a single point Southland Region 12 6 18 of contact that can provide any information of upcoming events or Nelson Region 6 3 3 normal day to day activity within our community from educational Marlborough Region 6 3 3 to religious and sporting to social. There would also be a responsibility Please note: the figures above represent all Greeks living in NZ Total: 2271 for each association to provide information to the PR officer in the who were born in Greece and does not include NZ born Greeks first place. I believe this is a key area for the support and success of Check us out on-line at: any event held by the Greek community at large. www.goyanz.org.nz or www.olympicafc.org.nz I hope you enjoy this issue - until next time - Paul Kotrotsos GOYANZ Youth Committees 2002 Radio Program GOYANZ: 7th July - Peppy Tziakis Paul Kotrotsos (Pres.), Paris Razos (V. Pres.), John Yiappos (Treas.), Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis (Sec.), Stelios Manousakis, John 14th July - Voula Kosmadakis Serepisos, Louiza Papageorgiou and Jason Varuhas. 21st July - Kostandina Karasavas Olympic: 28th July - Peppy Tziakis Peter Halikias (Pres.), Nick Halikias, Basil Bouzoukis, Paris Razos, 4th August - Voula Kosmadakis Nonda Hatzilamprou, Costa Leonidas 11th August - Kostandina Karasavas Netball: If anyone is interested in doing a radio show or if you have a Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis, Vera Georgiou dedication or request, please call Paul Kotrotsos on 387-1110 Junior Soccer: Tune in and listen to the latest Greek music. John Serepisos, George Kotrotosos, Andrew Antonopoulos, Thanasi Georgiou, Stathi Apostolakis Every Sunday at 3.00pm - 4.00pm Ta Matia tou Kosmou: on Access Radio, 783, AM John Serepisos (Editor), Voula Kosmadakis, Stelios Manousakis, Paul Kotrotsos, Dimetrius Christoforou (proof reader) Τα Ματια Του Κοσµου Youth Radio: is produced Bi-monthly by GOYANZ Paul Kotrotsos PO Box 6257 Wellington GOYANZ/Olympic Website: Layout and design TBD www.tbd.co.nz John Serepisos ([email protected]) Printing Ultracopy www.ultracopy.co.nz 2 www.goyanz.org.nz Greek Presidential Visit: Diary of Events by Chrisanthi Kamberogiannis Monday 10 June 2002 Waiting on the steps of Government House in anticipation of the arrival and for WW2, and was looking forward to the work exchange of the President of the Hellenic Republic Mr Stephanopoulos and his programme and mentioned that his various ministries business units almighty entourage of 143 foot soldiers comprising of an army that were accompanying him would like to increase trade with NZ. orchestra, ministers, journalists and business persons from every region Lunch that was served however left a lot to be desired, but the company of Greece. was gourmet. Though the weather was cold and wet our spirits were not dampened. When Mr Stephanopoulos arrived he was escorted with a variety of dignitaries through to the main lawn by a pair of powerful Maori warriors in traditional dress, bare chested and feeling the brisk wind, but when the National Army band played our national anthem, I think everyone’s goosebumps heightened, the blood rushed to our heads with a sense of patriotism and pride and emotions peaked. After a short and sweet official welcome, Wellington Boys College prepared an invigorating haka to bid President Stephanopoulos farewell into the main house for a mini muffin. The President and his entourage did stop by our lovely Greek School troopers dressed in blue and white (tradition!). Their little soaked paws held their Greek flags high to show Hellenism and pride. Inside Government House while the muffins circulated so did the GOYANZ committee. We met with many delegates, such as the The President “flanked” by Johnathan Hunt and Helen Clarke Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Cultural Affairs and of course the big man himself President Stephanopoulos. The journalists were Later that evening, we attended the cocktail party at the Intercontinental extremely friendly and curious about our small yet boutique Greek Hotel, which was hosted by the Greek Consulate General Mr K. The Community of Wellington. Governor General Dame Sylvia Cartwright, Minister of Health Annette King, Marilyn Hobbs, MP and myself were a few of the celebrities there that evening. I think the highlight of my day was when the GOYANZ committee met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He had an abundance of questions to ask us and of course he received plenty of answers. Some of the questions posed that evening went as follows: (a few excerpts) MINISTER: Why did I not see any youth at the Cocktail party? Do you not have younger Greek couples, eg 30s - 40s. GOYANZ: Yes we do! But not everyone was aware of your visit! We are 400 members strong, the biggest Youth Greek based organization in NZ.