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ITHACANS IN THE NEWS
2008 ITHACAN BURSARY AWARDS
2008 Ithacan VCE Bursary recipients (seated from left) Emilia Collins, Nicholas Oude-Vrielink, Jessica Kostos, Marinos Drakopoulos, Victoria Tzamouranis, (standing from left) Louise Kostos and Sasha Kostos. Absent on the day: Thomas Beasley and Jim Gurr.
A group of delightful young people of Ithacan heritage received the Society’s Tertiary Bursary Awards on Sunday March 29 at a presentation held at our clubrooms. As well as a monetary award, each VCE graduate received and engraved pen. Based on their ENTER scores, Louise Kostos and Nicholas Oude-Vrielink received the highest monetary award of $750 each. The Society extends its congratulations to all of the recipients and wishes them the very best in their future endeavours.
Thomas Beasley is the son of Speros and Liz Beasley, and grandson of Sia and Reg Beasley. He completed his VCE studies at Trinity Grammar in Kew and is currently studying Bachelor of Health Sciences at La Trobe University. Thomas is a keen sportsman and hopes to move into the field of occupational therapy in the future.
Emilia Collins completed her VCE at Mt Waverley Secondary College and is finding her course in Early Childhood and Primary Teaching at the Australian Catholic University both enjoyable and challenging. Her interests are the piano and swimming. She is looking forward to her next trip to Ithaca, which she has visited on a number of occasions. Emilia is the daughter of George and Kristalenia Collins, and grand-daughter of Emilia and the late John Kallinikos and George and Andriana Zervoulis.
Marinos Drakopoulos is the son of Jim and Mary Drakopoulos, and the grandson of the late Marinos and Eutichia Drakopoulos. He completed his VCE at Balwyn High School and is thrilled to have been offered a place in Monash University’s Industrial Design course. His interests are weight training and designing and constructing all sorts of items, including furniture. He loves spending time with his dog, Buddy.
Jim Gurr completed his VCE at University High in Parkville and is currently studying for the Bachelor of Environments at The University of Melbourne. Jim has a keen interest in film and two photographs from his VCE Studio Arts folio are currently on display at the Top Arts VCE 2008 Exhibition (see page 4). Jim, is the son of Kathy Vlassopoulos and David Gurr, and grandson of Melita and the Late Jim Vlassopoulos.
Jessica Kostos is enrolled in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree at The University of Melbourne. She completed her VCE at Genazzano FCJ College in Kew and is a keen netball player. Jessica is looking forward to participating in the university’s overseas exchange program in the future and has her eyes set on studying in London or Barcelona. Jessica is the daughter of Michael and Anne Kostos and the granddaughter of Chris and Joan Kostos.
Louise Kostos, daughter of Philip and Maree Kostos, and grand-daughter of Joan and Chris Kostos, completed her VCE at Star of the Sea College. She is studying at Monash University Medical School and aims to specialize in surgery. Louise enjoys playing the piano as a past-time, finding it both relaxing and energising.
Sasha Kostos completed her VCE at Genazzano FCJ College in Kew and gained entry into a double degree in Arts/Commerce at Deakin University. She is taking a GAP year in 2009 and is contemplating studies in the creative field, in particular architecture. Sasha is a talented graphic designer and has had her works on display at a number of exhibitions. Sasha, who is a keen netball player, is the daughter of Michael and Anne Kostos and the granddaughter of Chris and Joan Kostos.
Nicholas Oude-Vrielink completed his VCE at Xavier College in Kew. He is currently studying Commerce at The University of Melbourne, and in the future, intends to pursue post-graduate studies in Engineering. He wants to continue studying Japanese, as one day he hopes to travel to Japan. Holland and Greece are also favourite travel destinations. Nicholas’ interests are guitar, piano, soccer and karate. Nicholas is the son of Chrissa and Bart Oude-Vrielink, and grandson of Plousia and the late Nikolaos Kandiliotis.
Victoria Tzamouranis completed her VCE at Oakleigh Greek Orthodox College and is continuing with studies at RMIT University. She is undertaking a Marketing course with the aim of working in the market research field in the future. Victoria has a fine singing voice, and members may recall her entertaining them at a Christmas luncheon a couple of years ago. Victoria is the daughter of Christine and Chris Tzamouranis, and grand-daughter of Orpheas Kandiliotis and the late Vicky Kandiliotis.
IPS TASMANIAN TRIP
Ithacan Tasmanian sightseers pause for a group photo before another scenic bus tour.
Alarm clocks were ringing all round Melbourne on Friday 3 April, rousing the lucky Ithacans who were sojourning to Tasmania. We were all there present and accounted for at 7.00 am at Tullamarine Airport, ready to board our Virgin flight for the Apple Isle.
On arrival at the air terminal in Hobart, a transit bus whisked us off to the Wrest Point Hotel, where we left our luggage and after a quick lunch there were picked up by a tour bus and on to the Bonorong Wildlife Conservation Centre. There we strolled around the park surrounded by Australian wild-life – kangaroos, wombats, kookaburras and of course Tasmanian devils. Then off to visit Richmond, one of Australia’s most historic towns. A quick Devonshire Coffee, then back to the hotel to check-in to rest and freshen-up for dinner.
In the evening, we did our own thing. Some ate in the hotel whilst others went into town to Salamanca Square and tried out the eating places there. Back at Wrest Point we chanced our arm at the pokies. And when we went up to bed, the views from our rooms were magnificent – 360 degree vistas – a veritable panorama.
Next morning we all went off to the Salamanca Market – there must have been 300-400 stalls peddling all sorts of wares. We enjoyed browsing through one of Australia’s best out-door markets then wandered into Salamanca Square, which was studded with cafes and restaurants, a large chess board and a beautiful fountain complete with sculpture. After a quick lunch there, we met up at the Tasmanian Tourist Bureau a few blocks away and the Tram Bus took us all around Hobart. Then it was onto the Botanical Gardens where we had a lovely afternoon tea – and went to visit Pete’s Vegie Patch (as seen on the ABC) complete with pumpkin vines. Back to the hotel for a rest and dinner then into the gaming rooms again. Some went off to the pokies, others to the roulette wheels, then on into the arms of Morpheus.
Next morning, bright and early (at 7.30 am) we all met in the lobby to board our tour bus for Port Arthur – a fascinating excursion – so much sadness yet so much history. It was very cold though and a little showery – and many hadn’t had time for breakfast – so we brunched in the cafe on some very tasty, toasted paninis washed down with a cafe latte. Tour highlights included a guided walking tour of the historic convict site with access to over thirty restored buildings and ruins. We also saw the Penitentiary – a one-time granary and flour mill, the separate prison, the Commandant’s house, the church and we took a cruise around the Isle of the Dead. Finally we saw the Memorial Gardens, a monument to the tragic Port Arthur massacre – we sensed such sadness, the atmosphere was really sombre and melancholy.
Back to the hotel then for the usual rest, then off to Salamanca Square to the Greek restaurant Mezethedes – where we had booked two tables of ten. The food there was extremely tasty –I had a very fresh fish and skordalia – and everyone enjoyed themselves.
It was perishing cold on Monday – there was snow on Mount Wellington – but we were all rugged up and ready to roll early. It was a free day – with the proviso that we had to be back at the hotel at 2.30 pm to be picked up by the transit bus for the airport. We checked out our luggage and then scattered off in different directions mostly to the city. Some hardy souls took the water taxi back to the hotel and gained a whole new different aspect of the marvellous Hobart views. Back at the hotel we had a last go at the slots and roulette and sharp at 2.30 pm we were all gathered in the lobby to be picked up and deposited safe and sound at the Hobart Terminal.
Landing in Melbourne, in the early evening, the happy group unanimously agreed that a great time was had by all. We had already booked in for the NEXT TRIP!!
Lula Black
OMIROS COLLEGE VCE GREEK SCHOOL GRADUATION
On Wednesday 1 April 2009, Emilia Collins and Alexandra Vlassopoulos received their VCE Greek Achievement Award and a wonderful book “Migrant”, generously awarded to each graduate by the author, Alfred Kouris. The presentation was held at Parliament House and members of parliament presented the students with their awards. Emilia’s and Alexandra’s awards were presented by Kelvin Thompson MP, the Federal Member of Wills representing the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd. The ceremony was followed by a cocktail party which was enjoyed by all. It was a very pleasant evening.
Emilia is the daughter of George and Kristalenia Collins and Alexandra is the daughter of John and Yiota Vlassopoulos. The Society congratulates Emilia and Alexandra for their achievements. It is wonderful to see our younger people cultivating their Greek.
Συγχαρητήρια στις Αιμιλία Καλλίνικου (άνω) και Αλεξάνδρα Βλασσοπούλου (κάτω) δια το Τιμητικό Βραβείο που τους απονεμήθηκε δια τις επιδόσεις τους στα Ελληνικά των αποφοίτων Γυμνασίου.
IT’S NOT EVERYDAY THAT AN ITHACAN GIRL GETS
TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED WITH TWO HEADS OF STATE!
This photo was taken in April 2009 at the residence of the Greek Ambassador in Cyprus, where the Prime Minister of Greece came for a state visit. Angela Tsolakis (Stathi Raftopoulos’s third daughter), is pictured next to the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Karamanlis and the President of Cyprus Mr Dimitris Christofias who is flanked by Angela’s husband Kyriakos Tsolakis.
ΕΠΤΑΝΗΣΙΟΙ ΣΤΟΝ Ι. Ν. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΣΜΟΥ:
Δοξολογία για την επέτειο Ενώσεως της Επτάνησου με την Ελλάδα.
GURR’S WORK TOPS ARTS
ARTISTIC ambiguity has certainly worked for 18 year old Jim Gurr, whose good and evil themed artwork has twisted its way into Top Arts VCE 2008 exhibition at the Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square.
Gurr was one of 61 students whose VCE Art and Studio Art work was selected by the National Gallery of Victoria for its 15th annual exhibition.
The ex-University High School student said that his displayed photos and short film were inspired by the silent German Expressionist films of the 1920s.
“The Golden Era of Hollywood has always been attractive to me,” Gurr said.
“The 15 minute movie I made, Kunst, is about a scientist who leaves his world to try and balance good and evil in the world he left behind by creating a machine.
“It’s meant to be ambiguous and I have tried to blur the line between good and evil, so his actions can’t be deemed as either. It’s dark,” he said.
Gurr extended the theme of 1920s melodrama and exaggeration to create his five photographs, two of which were displayed in the exhibition.
“I got people to go into costume and makeup so that I could recreate them with my own little twist.
One was made to look like actress Greta Garbo, and another like David Attenborough with all of them having something about them that dictated whether they are good or evil. There’s something about the look in their eyes.”
Gurr, who is currently studying environment at Melbourne University said that he has been interested in film making since he saw the movie, Sleepy Hollow in grade Three.
“But it has only been the last three or four years that I have really knuckled down and done something about it,” he added. “I am now in the process of making another film; a 1920s murder mystery about a theatre troupe set in Melbourne.”
Mr. Gurr explains that he would like to pursue a career in film but that he doesn’t want to go to a film school.
“The only way we can get into the industry is to go out there and do it ourselves. My Environment degree is a back up but we’ll see what happens in the future”.
Top Arts VCE 2008 will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square from March 25 to June 14, 2009. Admission is free.
CATHERINE KLADAKIS
Neos Kosmos 2009
GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL
ΕΡΑΝΟΣ ΔΙΑ ΤΟ ΝΟΣΟΚΟΜΕΙΟ
ΠΑΙΔΩΝ ΜΕΛΒΟΥΡΝΗΣ
Μεγάλη επιτυχία σημείωσε και εφέτο η εκδήλωση για τον έρανο για το Νοσοκομείο Παίδων της πόλης μας, όπου οργάνωσε ο Συνδεσμός μας στις 10 Απριλίου. Η αίθουσα μας γέμισε με κόσμο, μέλη και φίλους, που ήλθαν να υποστηρίξουν αυτόν τον ιερό σκοπό. Τους ευχαριστούμε όλους θερμά, καθώς και όσους δεν μπόρεσαν να έλθουν αλλά έστειλαν γενναιόδωρα την προσφορά τους. Συγχαρητήρια σε όλους που οργάνωσαν αυτήν την επιτυχή εκδήλωση και ιδιαιτέρως στα νέα παιδιά που βοήθησαν όπως και κάθε χρόνο εθελοντικά αυτή την ημέρα. Το πόσον που συγκεντρώθηκε ανέρχεται στις $5.177.
Προσφορά Συνδέσμου $1620.00
ΕΙΣΟΔΟΣ $1500.00
ΕΠΙΠΛΕΟΝ ΔΩΡΕΕΣ $1560.00
Raffle & Hot Cross Buns $295.00
ΡΟΒΑΝΗ $55.00
(Προσφορά Ιωακείμ-Μαρίνας Μεγαλογένη)
ΤΕΝΕΚΕΔΕΣ $147.00
Του Χρόνου σας περιμένουμε πάλι όλους.
On Friday the 10th of April we held our 3rd Royal Childrens’ Hospital Fundraiser Appeal at the club rooms again. I am very pleased to say that we raised $5,177.20. The money raised goes towards assisting the hospital in the provision of paediatric and medical care.
On behalf of the Executive Committee, I would like to thank everyone who supported this fundraiser with their kind donations for our raffle and sweets. Also a big thank you to my wonderful group of young Ithacans who helped on the day and came down to Ethihad Stadium to give in the cheque. The project manager, Jac Fletcher was also there and we had a group photo taken with her.
The State Government is building a brand new home for Royal Children’s Hospital right next door to the current site on Flemington Road. As with all big moves it will take time to get the new place ready but everything will be up an running by 2011. The old site will be turned into a park thus creating a new gateway to Royal Park.
I hope to see you all again next year.
Kristalenia Collins
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