G.O.Y.A.N.Z. Greek Orthodox Youth Association of New Zealand www.goyanz.org.nz Issue No. 12 February 2002 An Open Letter to the Greek Community To: The Greek Orthodox Community of Wellington and Suburbs How: “Unification of ALL Wgtn Greek Associations and affiliates into common From: Greek Orthodox Youth Association of New Zealand purpose to meet objective” Why: “To preserve our Hellenic culture or there will be none left for our Dear Sirs, children to inherit” After due consideration and much dialogue with various members of the Greek The Consequences if action is not taken: The gradual assimilation of Greek Culture community who are interested in fostering the development of our culture in into New Zealand society until such time that future generations will no longer New Zealand, GOYANZ has outlined a course of action as follows. This is by no relate to it. Is this the reason our parents came here? means a rigid plan but more of a setting up of a foundation to build upon and scope for closer liaison with the Greek Community and GOYANZ. 4) A Solution: build a state-of-the-art Community Centre which will cater for ALL the community’s needs for the next 25 years. This centre will have to 1) Historical: The Greek population of Wellington is broken into four distinct encompass changes that the community foresees in the future as well as being groups: financially self-sustaining. (i) Original Immigrants (arriving from Greece during the 50s & 60s.) 5) Plan of action: • age group now: 50+ a) Advise all associations of Special General Meeting to discuss issues of great • traditional culture based on village life importance to the future of our community and that plans will be formulated • working class to tackle a massive project to protect our culture. • worked hard for their children to have a better life than they did. b) Identify the requirements of the community in general: Religious, (ii) 1st Generation Children - born in New Zealand Educational, Cultural, Recreational and Administrative (plus other?) • age group now: 16-30 c) All financial and logistical resources of the local associations are to be “pooled” • speak Greek and appreciate the culture together to give impetus and financial viability to the project. • educated or at school d) All Associations have to be involved financially and morally! • disillusioned with the Greek Community e) Rules to be set in place to protect all associations and members of their (iii) 1st Generation Children - born in New Zealand rights. We must respect all the people that built our community but also • age group now: 30-50 ensure that youth have ready access to all facilities without being encumbered. • speak Greek and appreciate the culture f) A three year plan based on introducing structured educational facilities for • educated or in business all Greeks at various age groups. It is not enough to have a community • want to preserve the Greek Way centre without propagation of culture and heritage that will be developed (iv) 2nd Generation Children - born in New Zealand through properly organized educational facilities. • age group now: <16 • Are torn between Greek and NZ values 6) Consequences: If some sort of united front from the Greek community is not • Future uncertain set in motion within the next 3-5 years then we envisage the community as we know it to be a shadow of its former self. As our children become more “Kiwi” 2) The old versus the new: The biggest problem facing the Greek Community orientated, the ambitions of their parents will reduce and thus the legacy left by today is how do we hold on to the traditions of our culture in the face of an ever the original immigrants will be one of personal financial wealth as opposed to changing New Zealand Society? This is most relevant to the current Greek youth cultural wealth. How much money is our culture worth to get it back if we lose it? (those aged below 30). The assimilation of the youth and the further education of the 2nd generation should be the number one course of action for the 7) GOYANZ Role: Closer relations with the Greek Community in sharing community. The second biggest problem is the current division of the Wellington information and ideas concerning youth development as well as cultural, religious community into about 25+ organizations representing various groups who hold and administrative requirements as needed. Access to funding through various similar beliefs or share similar backgrounds. For a population of less than 2500 trusts and community groups as well as expertise in administration and Greeks, this is an inordinate number of groups. The consequence of this has promotion. been fragmentation of resources and generation of historical differences between Summary associations. The third major problem is the caring of an aging Greek population, We would like to thank the Greek community in giving our association the namely the original immigrants who came to New Zealand. As this group gets chance to express its views regarding the future of our community. As you know older so will the required resources increase for their care. This must be brought GOYANZ is self funding and is heavily involved in netball and football. However into context with any progress made towards solving the initial problems. In just because some members like soccer it does not mean that is all we are summary, the greatest concerns for the Greek community are: interested in and it does deviate GOYANZ away from its responsibility to inform • Nurturing our Greek culture and ensuring it is passing on to future generations youth of the latest issues. The inference that GOYANZ is only interested in soccer • Assimilation of groups and associations into one common goal is nonsensical and a complete slap in the face to those involved. Soccer is one • Investigating means of caring for an aging Greek population vehicle of delivering our culture to the local community. 3) Objectives: Obviously if we follow the above guidelines we can determine a “Are we prepared to hang on to the vestiges course of action to achieve the set objectives. As requested by the Greek of the past and forsake the future of our children?” Community of Wellington, GOYANZ wishes to set the following objective in “If you ask anyone this question the place: answer will always be no! So why is not “no” now?” “To nurture & foster our Greek culture and Religion for current & future Yours faithfully, generations in New Zealand’s ever changing society” GOYANZ • GOYANZ open letter p 1 • Theo’s taverna Night p 6 • Editorial p 2 • Lord of the Rings Review p 7 • Calender p 2 • Aussie Beat p 7 • News in Brief pp 3 & 12 • Music p 8 • G-Net p 4 • Dear Thea & Horoscopes p 9 • Hellas Live p 4 • Bar Review - Jet Bar p 10 • Religion p 5 •Ground Zero p 10 • La Trobe University Report p 6 • Sport p 11 www.goyanz.org.nz GOYANZ EVENTS CALENDER 2002 17 February Cretan & Mytilenian picnic, Maidstone Park 21 February Olympic Soccer Juniors Enrolment Evening - Akarnanian Hall, Tauhinu Rd Welcome to all our readers in our first issue for 2002. We have a number of events planned over the next couple of months. The 24 February GOYANZ Picnic - Williams Park - Days Bay first of them the GOYANZ annual picnic scheduled for Sunday 03 March Odysseus Dance, Greek Community Centre 24th February at Williams Park in Days Bay. BBQ’d food will be provided at a nominal price, there will also be some fun and 09 March Olympic Pre-Season Function - Cypriot Hall games for the children with the traditional lolly scramble, sack 16-25 March Greek Week Festivities races and a couple of other favourites. You don’t have to be a GOYANZ member to attend so bring your family and friends 25 March Greek Independence Day along to have an enjoyable day. We hope to see you there. This 06 April GOYANZ Baraki Night, Mezzini’s, Lambton Quay event is weather dependant so remember to listen to Newstalk ZB on Sunday morning for postponements. Following the picnic 13 April Season Kicks-off for Soccer and Netball we have our pre-season function for Olympic Soccer and Netball, 01 May Greek Labour Day this will be held at the Cypriot Hall in Miramar on Saturday 9th March. Then the Baraki night which has been put back to 05 May Greek Easter - Commemorating the resurrection Saturday 6th April. This will be an evening full of the latest Greek of Christ dance music with a few classics to compliment the evening. I 02 June Miss GOYANZ Annual Dance would also like to say that the response for the GOYANZ subscription has been great. Apart from receiving this bi-monthly 15 August Assumption Day - Commemorating the bodily magazine we hope to provide some discounts to our paid members ascent of the Virgin Mary (Panayia) into Heaven for certain events we hold during the year. Remember if you would September Olympic Prizegiving like to contribute to this magazine or would like to help out with the radio show then please contact any committee member. 12 October U19 Upper Hutt Soccer Tournament Finally, the open letter on the front page of this issue highlights 26 October U19 National Soccer Tournament in Napier - where our community is heading. It may be percieved Labour Weekend controversial but I hope it will generate interest and debate to all 28 October Greek National Holiday (OXI) those concerend and ultimitely lead to some positive action to improve our community’s future. Until next time - Adio November Wellington Xmas Parade Paul Kotrotsos December GOYANZ Childrens Xmas Party Committees 2002 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: GOYANZ: Paul Kotrotsos (Pres.), Paris Razos (V.