A moment of historical reflection and honour marked the opening night of the 50th Annual Conference of the Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia and New Zealand. Andreas Neroupos, an EOKA veteran honoured at 50th Cyprus Federation Conference in Australia for his liberation struggle aimed at the end of British colonialism, was presented with a Medal of Honour for his service.
Held on Friday, May 23 at the Cyprus Club in Sydney, the event brought together dignitaries, community leaders, and members of the Cypriot and Greek diasporas. Among them was High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Australia, Mr Antonis Sammoutis, who personally presented the medal to Neroupos.
In his remarks, Mr Sammoutis described the award as a tribute not only to Neroupos’ personal sacrifices, but also to the wider legacy of the Cypriot people’s fight for freedom and justice. “This honour recognises the enduring spirit of those who resisted colonialism and laid the foundations for an independent Cyprus,” he said.
Father Kyprianos provided a brief historical background on Neroupos, noting his arrest in 1955 during the anti-colonial struggle against British rule. At the time, Neroupos was found in possession of grenades and was later defended in court by two future presidents of Cyprus — Glafcos Clerides and Tassos Papadopoulos.
The emotional moment was witnessed by a full audience, with many community members expressing deep admiration for the resilience and courage of the now-elderly fighter. Christos Violaris, a long-time friend and fellow community member, was seen offering a warm gesture of affection, planting a kiss on Neroupos’ cheek during the presentation.
In his brief address, Neroupos humbly thanked the community and reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to the ideals for which he and his compatriots had fought. His story served as a powerful reminder of the human cost of the struggle for national self-determination and a call to never forget Cyprus’ recent history.
The honouring of Andreas Neroupos stood as a symbolic bridge between generations — linking the lived experiences of veterans with the activism of today’s diaspora, particularly among youth organisations like NEPOMAK.
NEPOMAK stands for the “Νεολαία Παγκόσμια Ομοσπονδία Απόδημων Κυπρίων”, which translates to “World Organisation for Young Overseas Cypriots”.
Key facts about NEPOMAK:
- Founded: 2002
- Affiliated with: POMAK (World Federation of Overseas Cypriots) and the Federation of Cypriot Communities in each country
- Purpose: To connect young Cypriots of the diaspora (typically ages 18–30) with their cultural heritage, language, and homeland (Cyprus) through educational, cultural, and political engagement.
Activities include:
- NDCP (NEPOMAK Discover Cyprus Programme): A summer programme that brings young Cypriots from around the world to Cyprus for cultural immersion, language lessons, and travel.
- Internships & Leadership Programs: Promoting professional development and advocacy skills.
- Diaspora advocacy: Engaging young Cypriots in political lobbying on Cyprus issues (e.g. occupation, reunification).
- Events & networking: Held across member countries (e.g. Australia, UK, USA, South Africa, Greece, Canada).
NEPOMAK in Australia & New Zealand:
It functions as the youth wing of the Federation of Cyprus Communities of Australia and New Zealand, helping keep younger generations involved in community affairs, cultural preservation, and political advocacy related to Cyprus.
Let me know if you’d like to include a brief NEPOMAK reference in the article about Andreas Neroupos.
Andreas Neroupos was a veteran of EOKA (Ethniki Organosis Kyprion Agoniston – National Organisation of Cypriot Fighters), which led an armed liberation struggle from 1955 to 1959 against British colonial rule in Cyprus.
The goal of the struggle:
- Enosis – Union of Cyprus with Greece.
Historical context:
- After decades of British colonial administration (since 1878 formally, and as a Crown colony from 1925), many Greek Cypriots aspired to unify Cyprus with Greece.
- Peaceful calls for Enosis were repeatedly rejected by Britain, leading to armed resistance.
- EOKA was formed in 1955 under the leadership of Georgios Grivas (Digenis), with the support of Archbishop Makarios III.
What Neroupos and others fought for:
- The end of British colonialism.
- National self-determination for Cypriots, particularly Greek Cypriots.
- Union with Greece, though the movement eventually contributed to Cyprus gaining independence in 1960 rather than unification.
Personal background:
In the case of Andreas Neroupos, he was arrested in 1955 during the early phase of the armed resistance, for carrying grenades. He was defended in court by Glafcos Clerides and Tassos Papadopoulos, both of whom would later become Presidents of the Republic of Cyprus.
