An unforgettable night with the Greek Community!
“Hello, you are listening to us from the first 24-hour Greek-language station 3XY Radio Hellas. Yes, it’s a fact! We are all set and ready to go. I am Rena Fragioudaki and I welcome you.” 3XY Radio Hellas marks 30 Years!
It was October 28, 1994, when Rena put on her headphones, turned on the radio console, and with her characteristic voice said the first words heard throughout the Greek community from the frequency of 3XY Radio Hellas.
It was this very moment, a moment that marked the beginning of this unique course. Greek Radio in this part of the Mediterranean was now a fact! 3XY Radio Hellas became and remains for 30 years the company of the expatriate community – it became and remains the voice of the Greek community! And it is for this reason that all of the station’s contributors, old and new, celebrated with pride and joy this 30th milestone birthday of 3XY, on Saturday, October 26, at Cathie’s Lane Reception.
This great event was attended by select members of the Greek community, members of parliament, as well as representatives of many community associations and organisations. Among the many distinguished guests were expatriate Nick Staikos, State Government Representative and Labor MP, David Davis, State Liberal Party Representative, and Shadow Minister for Energy and Security, the Consul General of Greece in Melbourne, Mr. Emmanuel Kakavelakis and the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and representative of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Mr. Vasilis Papastergiadis. The event was of course attended by all those who passed by the station’s radio console, old and new staff members, who together with listeners and friends of the station, made this great celebration very moving.
Yannis Paganis took charge of the presentation of the evening, which he opened by sharing his own personal story of all the years he has been part of the station’s “family”. He then gave the floor to old and new colleagues, who took the floor and in turn expressed their joy, emotion, and gratitude for being part of the station’s history, thanking the Stamoulis family for this great boon.
The event was broadcast live by 3XY Radio Hellas, for all the listeners who could not attend the ball, with announcers Nikos Lupos and Angelis Kalodoukas coordinating the interviews of the evening. Old and new announcers of the station sent their own message through the 3XY frequency, including Lambrini Lambrou-Christopher, Katie Georgiou, Andria Garivaldi, Andria Aitken, Yannis Vythoulkas, Elena Kakosimou, Voula Imprisimi, Rena Fraggioudaki, Kostas Paterakis, Dimitris and Mary Tsampasidi, Katie Pedousi and many others.
This was followed by a video message from the Premier of Victoria, Ms Jacinta Allan with wishes and congratulations for the great work produced by the station and its people, followed by a message from the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Peter Dutton. A very moving video of significant moments from the station’s 30-year history brought tears to the audience’s eyes as they listened to favourite voices from the past, shows, radio broadcasts, events, and celebrations.
Then, the owner of the station, Mr. Harry Stamoulis, addressed the audience and among other things, he referred to the vision of his late father, Spyros Stamoulis, who with dedication and perseverance gave life to a dream that seemed very difficult at the time. Mr. Stamoulis said he was very proud that he and his sister Melina and his mother Eleni are continuing his father’s vision and thanked the staff of the station for their dedication and hard work, which gave life to the vision of the late Spyros Stamoulis.
Then, Spyros Alatsas, General Manager of the station, took the floor,, after thanking his colleagues and the Stamoulis family, underlined that the station is a daily companion for many fellow residents, being a “medicine” for their loneliness. At the same time, it supports fundraising events, informs and entertains and has the power to unite, as he pointed out, through the telling of an incident of a reunion of expatriates after decades.
At the end of his speech, visibly moved, looking back on 3 decades of personal contribution, he invited the other pioneers of 3XY to the stage: Rena Fraggioudaki, Yannis Vythoulkas, Nikos Lupos, Mary Tsimiklis, Efi Atziara, Dimitris and Mary Tsampasidis, Angelis Kalodoukas, Yannis Papadimitriou and Tasos Stathopoulos, and in recognition of their valuable contribution and dedication to the station, he honored them with the award of a nameplate. A small surprise was also waiting for Mrs. Eleni Stamoulis, who was given a rich bouquet of flowers, a sign of the gratitude of the Management and staff towards her for the valuable work she continues to offer.
At the end of the speeches, all the contributors gathered around the three-story cake – “one floor for every decade”, they joked – and cut the cake, wishing the best for the next 30 years of the station.
The entertainment of those present was provided by the dance groups “Pegasus”, “Manasseh”, “Pancretan Brotherhood” and “Pontian Hestia”, with the presentation of traditional dances throughout the evening. The “Anagenisi” band filled the crowded hall with music while the guests danced and celebrated with their souls until midnight.
Warm thanks to the main sponsors of the events, Hellenic Wine Spirits, Mantzis Family, Nikos Cakes, and the Hellenic Community of Melbourne. Thanks also to Cathies Lane Reception for their excellent cooperation, but most of all to all of you, the loyal listeners, who have put 3XY Radio Hellas in every home and in every heart.
So as 3XY Radio Hellas enters its fourth decade, it promises all listeners that it will always be there to remind us that our stories are alive and our voice has the power to travel far and wide, to unite and inspire. As we celebrate this important anniversary, we remember that 3XY Radio Hellas is more than just a radio station. It is the connection to our roots, the bridge that unites us with Greece, even from the other side of the world. It is the voice of the Greek community!
