The Ithacan Philanthropic Society extends its congratulations to George Papadopoulos for receiving the PREMIER’S AWARD FOR COMMUNITY HARMONY.

George Papadopoulos is one of the eminent figures in the development of multiculturalism in Victoria and Australia, playing a key role in defending the rights of people of diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. He also made significant contributions to Victoria’s community harmony through his involvement in some of Victoria’s peak organisations. such as being co-founder of one of the very first ethno-specific welfare and educational organisations: the Australian Greek Welfare Society.

He has been co-founder of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria, Chairperson of the Ethnic Affairs Commission of Victoria (now known as the Victorian Multicultural Commission) and central to the creation of the Overseas Qualifications Unit and in the Victorian Government’s inquiry and review of migrant skills and qualifications recognition processes and arrangements.

Through these roles George advocated for policies that reflected the socially linguistically and religiously diverse nature of our society. George was an active and passionate pioneer who contributed to the development of our socially cohesive and harmonious society.

George is the son of the late Andrew and Angelika Papadopoulos.

VICTORIAS MULTICULTURAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2007

Η τελετή έλαβε χώρα στο Government House στις 26 Νοεμβρίου 2007. Τα βραβεία απενεμήθησαν από τον Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser, A.C.

Συγχαρητήρια στο Γεώργιο Πάγκαλη πρόεδρο της Κερκυραϊκής Αδελφότητος, μέλος της Επτανησιακής Ομοσπονδίας και φίλος των Ιθακησίων διά την Τιμητική Διάκριση που τον απενεμήθη από την Πολιτεία της Βικτώριας διά την εξαιρετική εθελοντική προσφορά του στην Ελληνική Παροικία, ειδικά δια τις υπηρεσίες του στον Εκπαιδευτικό Τομέα. Γιώργο σου ευχόμεθα πάντα σε Ανώτερα.

GEORGE PAXINOS HONOURED IN AREA OF PSYCHOLOGY

Yet another distinction was bestowed upon top expatriate professor and researcher in the area of psychology and the human brain, Giorgos Paxinos. This time, Paxinos was awarded the distinction by the Australian Psychologists Research Organization for his contribution to science.
Paxinos’ The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, is ranked among the 50 most cited items in the entire Web of science and has attracted over 30,000 citations.

Prof. George Paxinos paved the way for future neuroscience research by being the first to produce a three-dimensional (stereotaxic) framework for placement of electrodes and injections in the brain of experimental animals, which is now used as an international standard. He was a member of the first International Consortium for Brain Mapping, a UCLA-based consortium that received the top ranking and was funded by the NIMH-led Human Brain Project. Prof. Paxinos has been honored with more than nine distinguished awards throughout his years of research.

Professor Paxinos was born in Ithaki and studied in the US. Since 1973 he has been living in Sydney Australia where he works at the University of New South Wales and collaborates with various universities and research centres such as Cambridge and Oxford.

SPIRO ROMBOTIS



The Ithacan Philanthropic Society extends its congratulations to Spiro Rombotis, President of the Lefkadian Brotherhood, for his receipt late last year, of the Premier’s Award for Meritorious Service to the Community for his outstanding voluntary contribution to the Greek Community in Melbourne

ALKINOOS IOANNIDES : Ithacan Concert Goers

Enjoying the recent Greek entechno music event of Alkinoos Ioannides (part of the Cypriot Food & Wine festival) the Ithacan contingent from left Elly Symons, John Chilianis, Jim, Kathy & Melita Vlassopoulos, Toula Agrotis, Lula Black.

ITHACAN OVERSEES NEW MINING ACQUISITION

Xstrata Plc, a major global diversified mining group listed on the London and Swiss stock exchanges through its Australian entity, ITHAKI AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, has made a $3.1 billion bid for Jubilee Mines in Australia. The bid of $23.00 per share has been recommended for acceptance by Jubilee to its shareholders. Jubilee is a leading Australian nickel producer with a primary focus on high grade nickel sulphides and has significant growth potential. The executive Chairman and major shareholder of Jubilee is Kerry Harmanis.

It is of interest to note that the Executive General Manager Group Strategy and Corporate Affairs is Thras (Thrasivoulos) Moraitis, a 44 year old South African Ithakesian, who now works in London Thras, (pictured above), joined Xstrata AG in 2003 and is responsible for the Group’s strategic development, post-acquisition integration, external affairs and investor relations as well as the Group’s technology businesses. He is a director in charge of all acquisitions for Xstrata and began his career as an engineer on the Winkelhaak Gold Mine, Gencor. He then became a Global Partner in the strategy and merchant banking firm, Monitor, where he was responsible for their EMEA operations, advising governments and corporations around the world and was involved in Monitor’s private equity and venture capital activities.

TEAM HEALEY VARIETY BASH 2007

On 23rd August 2007, ninety-seven cars assembled at Moonee Valley Racecourse for an early morning start. The Bash route was Melbourne to Nhill, Swan Hill, Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Cobar, Lightning Ridge, Tamworth, Casino, finishing in Byron Bay. The round trip 5800 kms, using 1000L of fuel, which cost $1280. The total funds raised by the Victorian Variety Bash this year was $1.43 million.

Most of the roads were dirt and corrugated, with many river and creek crossings. We camped most nights in the outback alongside many others. As you can imagine, we have many stories and memories of fun times with a great bunch of people. The main aim is to raise as much money as possible. Apart from the initial entry fees, sponsorships and donations, one way was by being fined for many reasons, for example seat belts too tight, seatbelts not tight enough, wearing wrong glasses!

On the second day, the first time “Bashers’, known as the ‘virgin bashers’, were allowed to leave first and set up a road block in a remote part of the desert. The only way past us was to buy at least $5 or $10 worth of raffle tickets. After selling all the raffle tickets, we still had 35 cars to come through - so we sold the butts as well!

We stopped at many outback schools along the way, giving donations of money and books to children in remote areas. Two schools had 17 and 12 pupils. The children loved seeing the cars, and the teachers were extremely grateful. The community usually provided morning tea or lunch for about 440 people. It was a highlight for these small communities. On Day Three we stopped at Bindara, a farm on the banks of the Darling River, on the way to Broken Hill. We paid donations for a nip of Tequila, lemon, salt and down the hatch! This cattle station was a small oasis in the desert, but clearly it is a struggle due to the severity of the drought.

Day Four we were off to Silverton for breakfast. It’s still a ghost town despite the many movies made here! (Mad Max 2, a Town like Alice). It is very dry everywhere in this area, as stark contrast to the photos in the local pub showing the January ‘07 floods. Most of the tracks that day were through private property, we opened and closed 27 gates!

By the sixth day some cars began to have problems and were unable to continue. Thankfully we had no problems, except for a power steering oil leak, which we were able to fix, and a near miss with a kangaroo as he bounded in from our right, skidded to a stop, hesitated and then retreated into the bush!

On Day Nine we had a superb drive through the Border Ranges to Murwillumbah then South to Byron Bay, arriving at the footy ground to claim our 4th place, ready for a police escort through Byron Bay. Table and chairs out of the boot and enjoyed a glass of red in style before the parade.
Day 10 we explored Byron Bay, including a walk to the Lighthouse, at the most eastern tip of Australia. We were fortunate to sight a whale just 100 metres offshore. Our three man team successfully completed the 2007 Bash in car number 196, our 1974 Ford Fairlane. So the evening dinner was a celebration and exchange of tales and stories.

We would like to thank the Ithacan Society for their donation and support. The annual Variety Bash is Australia’s most successful charity motoring event. The Variety Bash is a wonderful way to raise funds for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children. It is the focal point of fund raising efforts by many hundreds of supporters of Variety. We are pleased that 93% of money raised goes directly to the children.

We plan to run the car again in 2008.
Spiro Chilianis, Arthur Tuckett & Bill Vaughan