On Saturday, 14 June 2025, over 400 guests filled Stars International in Preston for a night that was more than just a celebration — it was a proud tribute to identity, community, and ten years of cultural continuity. A decade in motion: “O Periklis” celebrates 10 Years of dance, heritage, and community power.
The Hellenic Cultural Association of Melbourne “O Periklis” officially turned ten, and the milestone was honoured in true Greek fashion — with music, cultural preservation, community spirit, and unforgettable performances.
Founded in 2015, “O Periklis” was built as a home for Greeks of the diaspora to connect with Hellenic tradition through dance. Free from politics, and rooted in inclusivity, the club has welcomed over 250 dancers through its doors over the past decade, with more than 80 active today — including third and fourth generation Greek Australians proudly continuing their heritage.
The club’s Junior, Intermediate and Senior groups lit up the stage with powerful performances of regional dances from the Peloponnese, while a projector screen played a visual journey of “O Periklis” from its earliest days to now. It was a reminder of how far the club has come — and how much heart it continues to carry forward.
The music on the night was unforgettable — six ensembles and over 20 musicians took part, bringing regional traditions to life:
- Omados (Peloponnese and Thrace)
- Demotika (Epirus)
- Suzi Symeou & Katerina Stevens (Cyprus and the islands)
- Stavros Matzeridis (Pontian)
- Paddy Montgomery, Tony Iliou & George Rerakis (Cretan)
- Halkinades (Western Macedonia)
Among the highlights of the evening was the nostalgic return of a cake in the shape of the bust of Periklis — a touching nod to the club’s very first year. Guests also enjoyed a photo booth in the foyer, a lively and well-loved addition that saw families and friends sharing smiles and memories. Special guests from fellow dance groups — Aristotelis, the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne, and Panagia Soumela — were also in attendance, strengthening ties between communities.
The evening began with a heartfelt blessing from Bishop Evmenios of Chora and Father Philip Papagiannopoulos, setting a spiritual and respectful tone that grounded the night in the values of community and continuity. Their presence underscored the deep ties between tradition and faith, and both later offered words of encouragement — praising the club for fostering cultural connection across generations and for keeping the Hellenic spirit alive through dance. They were joined by Mr Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria, whose generous donation and personal remarks were warmly received. Mr Papastergiadis reflected on the importance of organisations like “O Periklis” in enriching Melbourne’s cultural landscape and nurturing youth leadership within the Greek community. Cr Vasilios Tsalkos, representing the City of Darebin, also addressed the crowd, commending the club for its decade of service and highlighting the importance of cultural diversity and civic pride. A key moment of the night came when Ms Emmanouela Giannoulidou, archivist at the Dardalis Hellenic Archives at La Trobe University, officially opened a new archive dedicated to the club. This ensures that the stories, artefacts and memories of “O Periklis” will be preserved as part of the wider Greek-Australian legacy. Together, the dignitaries’ presence and reflections added weight and warmth to the evening’s milestone celebrations.
Guests received custom showbags created by the committee, filled with branded gifts and keepsakes to commemorate the evening. A raffle and live auction raised valuable funds to support the club’s future programs, with the generosity of supporters on full display.
The night’s MC and club’s Public Relations Officer, Katherine Hatzis, delivered a deeply moving speech on behalf of the committee — one that captured not only the history of the past ten years, but the hopes for the next ten and beyond. She paid tribute to the dancers who have come through the club — now over 250 in total — many of whom have grown from students into mentors and leaders, carrying the club forward with passion and pride. She highlighted the role of the dance group not just as a performance troupe, but as a cultural bridge: connecting generations, preserving identity, and creating community in an ever-evolving diaspora landscape.
A key message of the speech was a call to the broader Greek community — both at the event and to the wider readership of this paper — to consider donating or lending authentic traditional costumes to the club. “We know so many clubs & families have treasures tucked away — garments lovingly made or brought from the homeland, kept safe for decades. But culture belongs in motion. These pieces deserve to be seen, danced in, and honoured on the stage — not hidden away in cupboards.”
Her words resonated with many on the night, and the club now formally extends this request to the Greek community across Melbourne and Australia: if you have any traditional costumes from specific regions — even just one piece or partial outfits — and would like to contribute to this living tradition, “O Periklis” welcomes your support. Donated or loaned items will be treated with the utmost care and gratitude, and kept alive through performance and education.
“We believe in showcasing our paradosi where it belongs — in the public eye, on stage, in the movement of our dancers, and in the hearts of a new generation,” Hatzis said. “This is not just about clothing — it’s about visibility, pride, and passing something on.”
To get in touch about contributing costumes or materials, readers can contact the club directly via email at operiklis@gmail.com.
She also shared the club’s clear mission moving forward:
• To preserve and promote Greek culture in its most authentic form
• To be a home for all, free from politics, grounded in community
• To grow and empower the next generation of dancers and leaders
• And to stand boldly with this promise: Authentic culture. Inclusive spirit. And Greek identity for generations to come.
In his closing words, President Joseph Tsombanopoulos thanked all who made the night possibl
“To everyone who joined us for this milestone, and to every supporter of ‘O Periklis’ over the past ten years — thank you. This club exists because of your belief, your love, and your generosity. We can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings.
