history
Once upon a time in Blacktown (1973 - 2018)
In the early 1970s, there were approximately 500 Greek people living in the Blacktown area, most of whom had arrived in the outer western suburbs of Sydney during the 50s and 60s. In May 1973, at the Savoy Milk Bar in Blacktown, a handful of them - Paul Karlos, Jim Papasinos and Denis Rozos - conceived the idea of establishing a Greek Community in Blacktown, and a letter was sent to the residents inviting them to a special meeting on the 26th May 1973 at the Civic Inn, Campbell Street, Blacktown. Following this historic meeting, where 28 people attended, the difficult task began; to inform all the Greek people in the area, and to generate enthusiasm for the establishment of the Community.
A further meeting was held at the Civic Inn on the 18th June 1973, during which "Denis Rozos gave an introductory speech and a discussion regarding aims and goals took place" (minutes of meeting, 18th June 1973), and it was decided to prepare the ground for the formal establishment of the Community. A provisional administrative committee was appointed, consisting of:
P. Triantafillis (President), M. Demirgellis (Secretary), J. Papasinos (Treasurer), S. Adamantidis, P. Davelis, J. Karozis, B. Katharios, N. Sevopoulos and C. Zarafetas.
On the 18th August 1973, a General Meeting was called at the at the Civic Centre in Blacktown, where those present discussed and approved the "Memorandum and Rules of the Association" (Constitution) and a motion was passed to organise elections.
According to the Memorandum, the title of the organisation was “The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Blacktown and Districts” and the objects were:
a) to preserve and teach the Greek language and traditions
b) to organise schools for the teaching the Greek language
c) to render financial and other assistance to persons in necessitous circumstances
d) to organise of functions of all kinds and raise funds by all means for charitable purposes of fundraising for the Community.
On the 23rd of September 1973, a meeting was held at the Civic Centre for the purpose of electing a committee; 11 nominations were submitted and the inaugural Committee was formed and consisted of S. Adamantidis, P. Davelis, M. Demirgellis, A. Doulaveras, P. Karlos, B. Katharios, D. Papasinos, P. Skountzos, N. Sevopoulos, P. Triantafillis and K. Zarafetas.
The newly-appointed Committee elected Peter Triantafillis as President, Bill Katharios as Vice-President, Michael Demirgellis as Secretary and Jim Papasinos as Treasurer.
The inaugural Committee immediately organised the Community’s first social events - a picnic at St. George Monastery in Springwood on the 9th of December 1973 and the first dance of the Community on the 23rd of February 1974, at the Masonic Hall in Blacktown - in order to bring the Greek community closer together. The members of the Committee, motivated by the great social and financial success of both events, became actively involved with the organising of other social events, but also fundraisers to aid the victims of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (July - August 1974).
Immediately, the Committee undertook to organise Greek schools in the area. The first afternoon Greek school was located at the Civic Centre and commenced on the 11th February 1974, and another was established in Windsor.
In February 1976, Denis Rozos was appointed to the presidency, and the first formal approach to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia was made, in order to have the religious needs of the Community served. During this time, the Committee’s main priority was to acquire a suitable property in Blacktown, which would facilitate the requirements of the Community, while also providing the opportunity for establishing a church. The purchase of the property situated at 135 Kildare Road at a cost of $39,500 was approved by the members at an extraordinary General Meeting on the 2nd of May 1976, and the members of the Committee became guarantors to ensure repayment of the $25,000 loan from the Commonwealth Bank. The Ladies Auxiliary (Philoptochos) was immediately formed, and the women began their fundraising efforts with success. A new era of confidence, pride and achievement was felt by those involved.
The negotiations with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese required a review to be undertaken of the Community's Constitution, which was completed in 1979, resulting in a number of amendments. On the 11th March 1980, the "Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts Limited" was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
With the hard work of the Committee members and many volunteers, the property was renovated and on Christmas Day 1982, in an emotional atmosphere, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Father Antonios Papadokokolakis, who had arrived from Perth only three days earlier and was appointed as the first Parish Priest of the Parish and Community.
On the 20th March 1983, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia conducted the official opening of the Church, which was then dedicated to Saint Paraskevi.
In the 1980s, the Parish and Community achieved exceptional progress. During the Presidency of Jim Karabatsolis, the property on 49 Balmoral Street was purchased (the first church was sold to the Russian Orthodox Church), and the foundation stone for a new Church was laid on the 25th August 1985. In the year that followed, Father Antonios, the Committee and Philoptochos, members of the Community and individuals provided personal labour and substantial financial support during the building of the new Church,
On the 19th October 1986, the titles of the Church were transferred to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Property Trust (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust Act 1994), which is protected by a special Act of the New South Wales Parliament.
The Church was officially opened by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos on the 27th October 1986.
On Sunday, 15th February 1987, the relic of Saint Paraskevi, which had been sent from the Monastery of St. George of Choziba (Wadi Qelt), was installed by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos in the Church, where it is since kept in the reliquary for public veneration.
Further progress was achieved, during the Presidency of Con Constantine, with the construction of the Community Centre (1989-1991). Since the early 90s, the Community Centre facilitates the Greek School, the Sunday School, the Greek Dancing School, the Seniors Group, the Youth Group, the Playgroup and the many events and activities of our Parish and Community.
On the 5th November 2000, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos conducted the Consecration of the Church, during which the relics of Saints Onouphrios of Egypt, Petros of Athos and Phocas were installed in the Altar, in the presence of prominent political and community leaders and thousands of faithful.
During the first decade of the 21st century, and following the appointment of Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos in April 2007, the financial base of the Parish-Community was further strengthened with the acquisition of two neighbouring properties under the Presidencies of Vlasios Brakoulias (2008) and John Dimitrakopoulos (2010).
In summary, it can be said that during the last 45 years there has been considerable development in the range of services provided by the Parish and Community for the benefit of its parishioners and the wider community.
This is attributed to all those who over the last 45 years encouraged, nourished and contributed morally and financially to the work of the Parish and Community. Spiritual leadership, guidance and support was provided by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos. Management of the activities was steered by successive Committees, the Ladies Auxiliary and Youth Committees.
The success of the Parish and Community is also attributed to the vision, zeal and leadership of our Parish Priests who worked tirelessly during the last thirty five years.
Today, with the conclusion of 45 years, the “Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts” is strong and dynamic, with plans for expansion in the range of activities and services it can provide to its parishioners and the Greek community in the outer western suburbs of Sydney as well as the wider Australian community.
In the early 1970s, there were approximately 500 Greek people living in the Blacktown area, most of whom had arrived in the outer western suburbs of Sydney during the 50s and 60s. In May 1973, at the Savoy Milk Bar in Blacktown, a handful of them - Paul Karlos, Jim Papasinos and Denis Rozos - conceived the idea of establishing a Greek Community in Blacktown, and a letter was sent to the residents inviting them to a special meeting on the 26th May 1973 at the Civic Inn, Campbell Street, Blacktown. Following this historic meeting, where 28 people attended, the difficult task began; to inform all the Greek people in the area, and to generate enthusiasm for the establishment of the Community.
A further meeting was held at the Civic Inn on the 18th June 1973, during which "Denis Rozos gave an introductory speech and a discussion regarding aims and goals took place" (minutes of meeting, 18th June 1973), and it was decided to prepare the ground for the formal establishment of the Community. A provisional administrative committee was appointed, consisting of:
P. Triantafillis (President), M. Demirgellis (Secretary), J. Papasinos (Treasurer), S. Adamantidis, P. Davelis, J. Karozis, B. Katharios, N. Sevopoulos and C. Zarafetas.
On the 18th August 1973, a General Meeting was called at the at the Civic Centre in Blacktown, where those present discussed and approved the "Memorandum and Rules of the Association" (Constitution) and a motion was passed to organise elections.
According to the Memorandum, the title of the organisation was “The Hellenic Orthodox Community of Blacktown and Districts” and the objects were:
a) to preserve and teach the Greek language and traditions
b) to organise schools for the teaching the Greek language
c) to render financial and other assistance to persons in necessitous circumstances
d) to organise of functions of all kinds and raise funds by all means for charitable purposes of fundraising for the Community.
On the 23rd of September 1973, a meeting was held at the Civic Centre for the purpose of electing a committee; 11 nominations were submitted and the inaugural Committee was formed and consisted of S. Adamantidis, P. Davelis, M. Demirgellis, A. Doulaveras, P. Karlos, B. Katharios, D. Papasinos, P. Skountzos, N. Sevopoulos, P. Triantafillis and K. Zarafetas.
The newly-appointed Committee elected Peter Triantafillis as President, Bill Katharios as Vice-President, Michael Demirgellis as Secretary and Jim Papasinos as Treasurer.
The inaugural Committee immediately organised the Community’s first social events - a picnic at St. George Monastery in Springwood on the 9th of December 1973 and the first dance of the Community on the 23rd of February 1974, at the Masonic Hall in Blacktown - in order to bring the Greek community closer together. The members of the Committee, motivated by the great social and financial success of both events, became actively involved with the organising of other social events, but also fundraisers to aid the victims of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (July - August 1974).
Immediately, the Committee undertook to organise Greek schools in the area. The first afternoon Greek school was located at the Civic Centre and commenced on the 11th February 1974, and another was established in Windsor.
In February 1976, Denis Rozos was appointed to the presidency, and the first formal approach to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia was made, in order to have the religious needs of the Community served. During this time, the Committee’s main priority was to acquire a suitable property in Blacktown, which would facilitate the requirements of the Community, while also providing the opportunity for establishing a church. The purchase of the property situated at 135 Kildare Road at a cost of $39,500 was approved by the members at an extraordinary General Meeting on the 2nd of May 1976, and the members of the Committee became guarantors to ensure repayment of the $25,000 loan from the Commonwealth Bank. The Ladies Auxiliary (Philoptochos) was immediately formed, and the women began their fundraising efforts with success. A new era of confidence, pride and achievement was felt by those involved.
The negotiations with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese required a review to be undertaken of the Community's Constitution, which was completed in 1979, resulting in a number of amendments. On the 11th March 1980, the "Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts Limited" was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission.
With the hard work of the Committee members and many volunteers, the property was renovated and on Christmas Day 1982, in an emotional atmosphere, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Father Antonios Papadokokolakis, who had arrived from Perth only three days earlier and was appointed as the first Parish Priest of the Parish and Community.
On the 20th March 1983, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos of Australia conducted the official opening of the Church, which was then dedicated to Saint Paraskevi.
In the 1980s, the Parish and Community achieved exceptional progress. During the Presidency of Jim Karabatsolis, the property on 49 Balmoral Street was purchased (the first church was sold to the Russian Orthodox Church), and the foundation stone for a new Church was laid on the 25th August 1985. In the year that followed, Father Antonios, the Committee and Philoptochos, members of the Community and individuals provided personal labour and substantial financial support during the building of the new Church,
On the 19th October 1986, the titles of the Church were transferred to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Property Trust (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Consolidated Trust Act 1994), which is protected by a special Act of the New South Wales Parliament.
The Church was officially opened by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos on the 27th October 1986.
On Sunday, 15th February 1987, the relic of Saint Paraskevi, which had been sent from the Monastery of St. George of Choziba (Wadi Qelt), was installed by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos in the Church, where it is since kept in the reliquary for public veneration.
Further progress was achieved, during the Presidency of Con Constantine, with the construction of the Community Centre (1989-1991). Since the early 90s, the Community Centre facilitates the Greek School, the Sunday School, the Greek Dancing School, the Seniors Group, the Youth Group, the Playgroup and the many events and activities of our Parish and Community.
On the 5th November 2000, His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos conducted the Consecration of the Church, during which the relics of Saints Onouphrios of Egypt, Petros of Athos and Phocas were installed in the Altar, in the presence of prominent political and community leaders and thousands of faithful.
During the first decade of the 21st century, and following the appointment of Father Sotirios Papafilopoulos in April 2007, the financial base of the Parish-Community was further strengthened with the acquisition of two neighbouring properties under the Presidencies of Vlasios Brakoulias (2008) and John Dimitrakopoulos (2010).
In summary, it can be said that during the last 45 years there has been considerable development in the range of services provided by the Parish and Community for the benefit of its parishioners and the wider community.
This is attributed to all those who over the last 45 years encouraged, nourished and contributed morally and financially to the work of the Parish and Community. Spiritual leadership, guidance and support was provided by His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos. Management of the activities was steered by successive Committees, the Ladies Auxiliary and Youth Committees.
The success of the Parish and Community is also attributed to the vision, zeal and leadership of our Parish Priests who worked tirelessly during the last thirty five years.
Today, with the conclusion of 45 years, the “Hellenic Orthodox Parish and Community of Blacktown and Districts” is strong and dynamic, with plans for expansion in the range of activities and services it can provide to its parishioners and the Greek community in the outer western suburbs of Sydney as well as the wider Australian community.